Law SchoolMediation Clinic

Strathclyde's Mediation Services

The Mediation Clinic provides a free mediation service in which experienced practitioners work alongside trainee mediators to help people resolve disputes without going to court or tribunal.

Strathclyde is known as the ‘place of useful learning’ and is proud to serve the wider community. The Mediation Clinic aims to have a positive impact on society by helping to embed a mediatory approach within the Scottish justice system.

The Mediation Clinic is part of the Law School at Strathclyde in the city centre of Glasgow.  It is Directed and Supervised by Charlie Irvine, Course Leader of the LLM/MSc in Mediation and Conflict Resolution.

Mediation Format

We are able to conduct mediation via telephone, Skype and Zoom. This form of mediation provides a fast, convenient and safe way to resolve disputes and can bring much-needed closure during the crisis. Face to face mediation may be able to be accommodated on request.Our intake process remains the same by telephone and Zoom.  Our staff and volunteers are working hybrid so please contact mediationclinic@strath.ac.uk with telephone contact details and we will aim to call you back as soon as we can. More information on Mediation using Technology.

What is mediation?

Mediation is an entirely voluntary process.

Mediation is an alternative way of settling disputes without going to court or tribunal.

Each party has the opportunity to speak directly to the other and decide if, or by what means, they can settle matters between them. The mediator helps with the discussion so that all interests and concerns can be fully discussed.

The mediators don’t make decisions; they lead the discussion and look for a way forward that's acceptable to both parties.

Mediation can take place at any stage of a dispute and can be effective before or during court action.

photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash.

Why choose mediation?

Mediation allows you to put across your situation in your own words and hear from the other party.

In the discussion, you can explore options for a settlement to your situation. These can be practical as well as financial and you decide on the terms of the agreement.

If the dispute is not settled by mediation, you can return to court and mediation will pose no difference to the previous court proceedings.

Where parties are able to come to an agreement, this is more likely to be kept to than judgements imposed by Court or Tribunal.

Mediation can be a much quicker and less stressful way of settling disputes rather than the court processes.

My case has been referred to mediation - what happens next?

Before the mediation session, each party will have a telephone discussion with an intake worker. This is confidential and no details will be given to anyone else without your consent.  Please note these are volunteers and we aim to contact you as soon as reasonably possible.  We will assess that the case is suitable for mediation.

If suitable, and if both parties agree, we can then arrange a date and time for mediation which normally takes place at the University of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic.

What happens in mediation?

Most mediation sessions achieve a high resolution and compliance rate.

Mediation is a confidential conversation between the parties and the mediators that allows people to negotiate and explore all the possible solutions before reaching a decision.

The parties are the decision-makers, and the mediators will not impose an outcome. This allows people to make informed decisions and find creative ways to settle disputes.

Mediation takes place on Zoom or by Telephone or may be accommodated at the University Mediation Clinic. The mediators begin with an introduction to the session and explain the arrangements.  Parties will be asked to sign an Agreement to Mediate.

Each party then has the opportunity to explain their position without interruption. All issues and concerns raised are discussed and any suggestions put forward by either party are discussed.

If necessary, the mediator will speak privately with both parties. All information given to the mediator is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed without permission.

The mediators will record any agreement reached and everyone is provided with a copy. Most mediations achieve a resolution and the rate of compliance (people carrying out their side of the agreement) is very high.

FAQs

Once a referral has been received from court, each party will be contacted by the Mediation Clinic by email or post.

If no response and if the clinic is provided with a telephone number, an attempt to call the parties will be made after 14 days.

If no response, a 2nd and final reminder will be issued asking for response from the parties.  The response should be received within 7 days or we will presume the parties do not wish to mediate and the Mediation Clinic will inform the court and both parties will be informed.

On occasion this does not apply if the Mediation Clinic does not receive contact from a court.

Our lead mediators are experienced practitioners, registered with the Scottish Mediation Register. They’re responsible for the overall conduct of the session and provide mentoring and supervision to our student mediators.

Our assistant mediators are normally postgraduates studying for the LLM/MSc in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. They are adult learners from all walks of life.

Each mediation session will be conducted by two mediators, usually a lead and an assistant mediator.

We are unable to assist with:

There may be other cases the Clinic cannot assist with. These will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and both parties will be kept informed.

At your initial interview with the Law Clinic, your advisors will give you a Mediation Clinic leaflet. If you’re interested in considering mediation, they will, with your permission, pass on your details to one of our mediators.

A mediator will contact you by telephone to discuss the situation and explain how it works in practice. If you agree to go ahead, the mediator will contact the other party to get their agreement to take part.

It should be stressed that mediation is entirely voluntary. If you don’t think it’s right for your case, or if it doesn’t lead to a resolution, the Law Clinic will continue to act for you in its usual way.

 

What Our Clients Think

I found the whole process to be friendly and extremely helpful. The mediators were extremely helpful and supportive. I am very thankful I chose mediation. Great service – very satisfied

 

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Supporting the Clinic

Please complete this Member Information Form if you wish to act as:

  • mediator
  • assistant mediator
  • observer or
  • become a Supporter but not actively mediate for the coming year

Mediators must either be students on the LLM/MSc Mediation and Conflict Resolution at Strathclyde or have completed a minimum 40 hour mediation training programme.  Mediators, although experienced and trained will be asked to observe at least 2 mediations in the first instance before being progressed to co-mediating for at least 5 cases.  Mediators must then be observed by an experienced member of the clinic before being able to act as Lead Mediator in the Clinic. Please note we are not accepting applications for mediators at the present time.  We will review this regularly and update this page.

Equality and Diversity 

University of Strathclyde is committed to achieving equality of opportunity throughout its activities.  The Mediation Clinic seeks to promote equality and diversity among its mediators and those who use its services.

View the Equality and Diversity Policy here.

Scottish Legal Awards 2023