Resolve Business Disputes Through Commercial Mediation

When a business dispute arises, going straight to court is rarely the right move. Our commercial mediation solicitors work with SMEs, directors and business owners to resolve commercial disputes through mediation, saving time, cost and commercial relationships in the process.

Book a consultation
retained compliance advisory services and ongoing compliance support for companies in the UK

What commercial mediation involves

When a commercial dispute goes unresolved, the costs compound quickly. Legal fees escalate, management time is consumed, and business relationships deteriorate, sometimes irreversibly. Commercial mediation is a structured, confidential process in which a neutral mediator helps both parties reach a binding settlement without the need for litigation. Our solicitors advise on whether mediation is the right route, prepare you thoroughly for the process and support you through every stage of negotiation. Most commercial mediations resolve in a single day.

How Our Commercial Mediation Solicitors Help Businesses

Our solicitors handle commercial mediations across a wide range of business disputes, from unpaid invoices to complex multi-party disagreements.

Contract Disputes

When a contract breaks down, whether through non-payment, disputed terms or alleged breach, mediation offers a faster and less costly route to resolution than litigation. Our solicitors advise on your position and represent your interests throughout the process.

Director and Shareholder Disputes

Disagreements between directors or shareholders can destabilise a business quickly. Our solicitors help parties reach workable agreements on issues including profit distribution, exit terms, management decisions and alleged unfair conduct.

Supplier and Customer Disputes

Commercial relationships with suppliers or customers can break down over delivery failures, quality disputes or payment terms. Mediation preserves the option of continuing the relationship while resolving the immediate disagreement on agreed terms.

Partnership Breakdowns

When a business partnership reaches an impasse, mediation provides a structured environment to negotiate exit arrangements, asset division or ongoing terms without the cost and exposure of court proceedings.

Professional Negligence Disputes

Disputes involving alleged professional negligence against solicitors, accountants, surveyors or other advisors are well suited to mediation. Our solicitors advise on the strength of the claim and manage the negotiation to achieve the best available outcome.

Property and Lease Disputes

Commercial property disputes including dilapidations, lease renewals, rent arrears and service charge disagreements between landlords and tenants can often be resolved through mediation without the need for court or tribunal proceedings.

What This Means for You

  • Disputes resolved faster than litigation in most cases
  • Costs significantly lower than court proceedings
  • Confidential process with no public record
  • You retain control over the outcome
  • Settlements are binding and enforceable

When to seek advice

  • A contract dispute is escalating, and negotiation has broken down
  • You are considering litigation but want to explore alternatives first
  • A business relationship is at risk, and you want to protect it
  • A counterparty has proposed mediation, and you need to assess whether to agree
  • You have received a pre-action protocol letter and want to understand your options

Meet the Founder

Marium brings 22 years of experience advising businesses and individuals on corporate, commercial and ILA law matters across the UK and the Middle East.

A qualified Solicitor individually authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID: 277854), Marium is also a registered Part II Practitioner and mediator in the DIFC Courts, and an established member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Her experience spans complex legal matters for high-profile clients throughout her career, she has been awarded the fastest growing women-led business in the UK recognised by Fortune 500 and former Prime Minister David Cameron.

Marium Razzaq - Solicitors in Manchester
Marium Razzaq
Solicitor & Director Mar Legal
MCIArb

Why Choose MAR Legal for Commercial Mediation

Solicitor Led Advice

Every mediation is handled by our commercial mediation solicitors with direct commercial dispute experience.

Fast Turnaround

We move quickly, from initial advice through to preparation and attendance, without unnecessary delay.

Fixed Fee Pricing

We provide clear cost structures before you commit so there are no surprises at any stage.

Commercial Focus

We approach every mediation with your business outcomes in mind, not just the legal position.

Trusted by businesses across the UK for practical advice on commercial mediation and dispute resolution.

Book a consultation

How Our Commercial Mediation Process Works

01

Initial Assessment

Our commercial mediation solicitors review the dispute, advise on whether mediation is appropriate and outline what the process will involve for your specific situation.

02

Case Preparation

Our solicitors prepare your position statement, supporting documents and negotiation strategy ahead of the mediation session.

03

Mediation Session

We attend the session with you, managing the process in real time and advising at each stage of negotiation with the other party.

04

Settlement and Agreement

Once terms are agreed, we draft or review the settlement agreement to ensure it is enforceable and accurately reflects what was negotiated.

What Our Clients Say

FAQ’s: Common Questions About Commercial Mediation

Commercial mediation works well across a wide range of business disputes including contract disagreements, payment disputes, service failures, director conflicts, partnership breakdowns and supplier issues. It is particularly effective where both parties have an ongoing commercial relationship they want to preserve, or where the cost and time of litigation would outweigh the value of the dispute. It is less suitable where one party is seeking a legal precedent or injunctive relief.

A mediated settlement is not automatically binding simply because it was reached in mediation. It becomes legally binding when both parties sign a written settlement agreement drafted at the conclusion of the session. Our solicitors draft or review that agreement on the day to ensure it is enforceable and accurately reflects what was agreed. An unsigned oral agreement reached in mediation has limited legal weight.

If mediation does not result in a settlement, both parties retain the right to pursue litigation or arbitration as though the mediation had not taken place. Crucially, anything said during mediation is confidential and without prejudice, which means it cannot be used as evidence in subsequent proceedings. A failed mediation does not prejudice your legal position and in many cases narrows the issues in dispute, making any subsequent proceedings more focused.

Most commercial mediations are completed within a single day, though complex multi-party disputes may run across two days. The process begins with each party providing a written position statement ahead of the session, which our solicitors prepare on your behalf. The mediation day itself typically involves opening sessions, private caucuses with the mediator and joint negotiation sessions, with a settlement agreement drafted and signed on the day if agreement is reached.

Mediation is a voluntary process and both parties must agree to participate. However, courts increasingly expect parties to consider mediation before issuing proceedings, and a refusal to mediate without good reason can result in adverse costs orders even where the refusing party succeeds at trial. Where a contract contains a dispute resolution clause requiring mediation as a pre-condition to litigation, participation may be contractually mandated.

Mediation is a voluntary process and both parties must agree to participate. However, courts increasingly expect parties to consider mediation before issuing proceedings, and a refusal to mediate without good reason can result in adverse costs orders even where the refusing party succeeds at trial. Where a contract contains a dispute resolution clause requiring mediation as a pre-condition to litigation, participation may be contractually mandated.

No. A mediator is a neutral facilitator, not a decision-maker. The mediator’s role is to help the parties identify common ground, explore options and negotiate toward a settlement. The mediator has no power to impose an outcome, make findings of fact or determine liability. Any settlement reached is the product of the parties’ own agreement. This distinguishes mediation from arbitration, where an arbitrator issues a binding award that the parties must comply with.

MAR Legal provides advisory and documentation support in connection with commercial mediation. Where a matter involves reserved legal activities or requires regulated legal representation, we work alongside appropriately regulated professionals to ensure the right expertise is in place.