Dispute Resolution Manchester

Mediation, Arbitration and ADR for Businesses and Individuals

When a dispute arises, the way you handle it shapes the outcome. Our dispute resolution solicitors in Manchester advise businesses and individuals on the full range of non-court resolution options, from commercial mediation and workplace mediation through to arbitration and alternative dispute resolution helping clients reach a faster, more cost-effective outcome without unnecessary litigation.

Our Dispute Resolution Services

Mediation Services

Our dispute resolution solicitors support businesses and individuals through the full mediation process, from preparation and strategy through to settlement drafting. We advise on commercial mediation, workplace mediation, property disputes and shareholder conflicts.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

We advise on the full range of ADR options available in England and Wales, including mediation, arbitration, early neutral evaluation and expert determination, helping clients identify the right process for their dispute before committing to a route.

Arbitration Services

Where a binding decision is required, our solicitors advise on commercial arbitration and construction arbitration, including arbitration clauses in contracts, the appointment of arbitrators and the enforcement of arbitration awards.

Trusted by businesses across Manchester and the UK for clear, commercial dispute resolution advice.

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

Meet the Founder

Marium brings 22 years of experience advising businesses and individuals on commercial disputes, mediation and dispute resolution across the UK and the Middle East.

A qualified Solicitor individually authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID: 277854), Marium is a registered Part II Practitioner and mediator in the DIFC Courts, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Her experience spans complex commercial disputes and cross-border matters for clients across the UK and internationally.

What our clients say about MAR Legal

Dispute Resolution FAQs

Dispute resolution refers to the range of methods available to resolve a legal dispute without going to court, or as an alternative to litigation. It covers mediation, where a neutral facilitator helps the parties reach a voluntary agreement; arbitration, where an independent arbitrator makes a binding decision; early neutral evaluation, where an independent expert gives a non-binding assessment of the legal merits; and expert determination, where an expert makes a binding decision on a specific technical or valuation question. The right approach depends on the nature of the dispute, the relationship between the parties and the outcome each side is trying to achieve.

Mediation is a facilitated negotiation, the mediator helps the parties reach their own voluntary agreement but does not decide who is right or impose a settlement. Arbitration is a formal process where an independent arbitrator hears the arguments of both sides and makes a binding decision. Mediation is generally faster, cheaper and less adversarial, and is well suited to disputes where the parties want to preserve a relationship or keep the process confidential. Arbitration is better suited to disputes where the parties need a binding outcome and are unable or unwilling to negotiate a settlement.

Courts in England and Wales strongly encourage parties to attempt mediation before issuing proceedings and in some cases require it. Since 2024, automatic referral to mediation has been introduced for certain small claims. Refusing to engage in mediation without good reason can result in costs sanctions, meaning a party who wins their case may still be penalised on costs for unreasonably refusing to mediate. Taking advice on the appropriate dispute resolution route before proceedings are issued is always the most cost-effective approach.

The cost of mediation depends on the complexity of the dispute and the length of the mediation session. A typical commercial mediation lasting one day will involve the mediator’s fee, which is usually split between the parties, plus the cost of legal advice before and during the session. Our solicitors offer fixed fee options for mediation support so you have a clear picture of costs before committing. We are happy to discuss fee structures at the outset and provide an estimate once the nature of the dispute is understood.

Arbitration is often preferable to court proceedings where the parties have an arbitration clause in their contract, where confidentiality is important, where the dispute involves technical or specialist subject matter that benefits from an expert arbitrator, or where one or both parties are based outside England and Wales and want a neutral forum. Arbitration awards are generally easier to enforce internationally than court judgments, which makes arbitration the preferred choice for cross-border commercial disputes.