Online mediation allows you to resolve your dispute quickly, and with fixed fees, so you know the costs from the outset.
It could be the solution for you to manage your dispute and help you get to a quick, practical and commercially viable settlement.
What does our online mediation service offer?
An appointment service where you can apply for us to appoint you a mediator.
We will provide highly qualified mediators, who are sector specialist, independent, free from conflict of interest and experienced in negotiating settlements for all types of disputes across the built environment.
You will be given the flexibility you need to control your dispute by designing an online mediation package that suits your needs. It allows you to control the outcome of the dispute rather than having it imposed.
After your application has been processed, you will be notified of the mediator and given a potential date for the mediation to take place.
Technical requirements – as a bare minimum you will need a smart phone and email.
Apply to have a mediator appointed
To start using the service, download the application form, complete and send it to drs@rics.org.
Published date: 23 November 2021
For more information about the online mediation process, including costs see the client guide
Published date: 05 May 2020
How does mediation work?
Mediation helps to resolve disputes between parties, a neutral third party helps facilitate discussions, negotiation and settlement of the dispute. RICS dispute resolution service (DRS) adopts a robust, evaluative approach to mediation which is well suited to our area of specialisation: construction, property and land disputes.
Unlike some other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) like arbitration, mediation is generally voluntary and non-binding. Meaning, the parties get to decide how and if the dispute is resolved.
We appoint professionals with years of experience to help the parties analyse the situation in depth. This is preferable to letting the matter drag on or taking it to court.
Who uses mediation?
The flexibility and adaptability of mediation lends itself well to all types of disputes. People use mediation to help with all kinds of issues both large or small including:
- neighbour disputes
- larger construction disputes
- rental disputes
- complex commercial property matters
Why use mediation?
We appoint professionals with years of experience to help the parties analyse the situation in depth. This is preferable to letting the matter drag on or taking it to court.
Time saving – A mediation can be organised within a matter of days and usually concludes within one day. The whole matter can be resolved in under two weeks from when you submit your application.
Cost effective – we make sure you know how much you are paying from the outset with a fixed fee service. This is substantially cheaper than going to court. Your mediation will be entirely private and confidential and will enable you to play an active role in shaping the outcome that will affect you. The fees are in the downloadable client guide.
Quality of the mediators – we use only specifically qualified and experienced mediators who comply with RICS’s stringent service standards and who are all accredited members
Maintain customer confidence – mediation is confidential. Nothing said in the mediation may be repeated to the outside world and it will not ordinarily be known even that a mediation has taken place
Adaptable process – online meditation can be simple or as complex as you need. You can discuss the options with your mediator.
Why choose RICS mediators?
Asking us to appoint a mediator will mean you save time researching the market place and will feel confident that the appointed mediator will be a trained property and construction professional who will usually be experienced in the subject of the dispute. The appointed mediator will be neutral and will have no connection with either of the parties or any interest in the outcome.
We have a register/panel of mediators who have undergone an intensive training programme and satisfy DRS requirements relating to observership/pupilage and CPD. Mediators on our register/panel are continually monitored to ensure they satisfy the requirements of the Civil Mediation Council.
RICS DRS (dispute resolution service) is the largest and oldest built environment specific ADR (alternative dispute resolution) service provider in the world, making over 5000 appointments a year.
DRS has been appointing sector professionals as robust, evaluative mediators in matters like this for decades and has the highly experienced and expert RICS President’s Panel to draw on.
Are you a qualified mediator?
For info on how to use this service as a qualified mediator see our guide
Published date: 05 May 2020
Contact the DRS team
- Email us
- Call: +44 (0) 20 7334 3806