Fees and Expenses

Our fee guidelines are set out below. Fees should always be discussed with the mediator directly and agreed with all parties and the mediator in advance of the mediation. They will be recorded in a mediation agreement. Ensure you understand if the fee is per party or in total.

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Straightforward cases

Many of the cases in which our civil/commercial  mediators are involved arise from disputes which might otherwise have to be resolved through the litigation process.

In order to give you an idea of how much a mediation might cost the typical fees for a straightforward mediation involving just two parties might be as follows 

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• a basic fee of £750 plus VAT per party for a 4-hour mediation; and

• a basic fee of £1,250 plus VAT for a full day 7-hour mediation.

 

For a mediation within the South West, this will include fees for travel time and expenses but not venue hire. The fees will also include the cost of any time spent in preparation and initial meetings. Any time required over and above the basic period will incur a charge of around £110 plus VAT for each hour or part of an hour.

 

Some mediators may be willing to discount their fees for lower value disputes, or where parties are charities or not-for-profit organisations. Some members do not need to charge VAT.

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Complex cases

These can involve substantial sums of money, many different parties, conflicts of expert evidence or substantial volumes of documents. They may involve issues other than just money or compensation, such as boundaries, rights of way, intellectual property rights, or any other rights, duties, claims, disputes and conflicts. In most of these cases, particularly those in which the courts have become involved,  the fees will need to be agreed with the mediator but we will generally be able to give an indication once we know the details.

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Travel and accommodation costs 

If the mediator incurs expenses which are not otherwise included (e.g. accommodation costs), these will be charged at cost. 

 

Venue 
Generally speaking the parties will be expected to source a venue which will provide a room for each party and their advisers and supporters together with a neutral room which is large enough to hold a joint meeting. These rooms may be at the offices of one of the solicitors or barristers involved. Otherwise parties can look to source rooms at local hotels or business centres. Occasionally, property-related mediations can also be held "on site". The parties will agree how they wish to split the costs of the venue and any refreshments which will be separate from the mediator's fee. 

Multiple Parties 
The above fees are based on a two-party mediation. If there are more than two parties, the length of the mediation session may need to be increased, and the fee increased. The ASWM or the mediator will discuss this matter with you when organising the mediation.

Time for Payment
(a) The Mediator's  fee must be paid before commencement of mediation. If you require an invoice in order to make that payment please ask the mediator in good time.
(b) The Mediator's fees for any additional time and any expenses will be invoiced after the mediation is completed and are payable within 14 days of the Mediator's invoice. The Mediator is entitled to require the provision of suitable undertakings or other security in relation to fees and expenses.​

 

Civil Mediation Council ("CMC") Fixed Fee Scheme

In suitable cases, some of our panel mediators and less experienced mediators working towards panel membership may be willing to undertake straightforward cases on  the CMC Fixed Fee Scheme details of which are set out below. Bear in mind, however, that if the negotiation between the parties has completely broken down it is unlikely that much progress will be made in a very short mediation. We don't offer a choice of mediators for the Fixed Fee Scheme but if you specifically enquire about the Scheme we will put you in direct contact with a mediator who may be willing to take it on.