If you’re searching for answers to what is mediation, chances are you’re dealing with a dispute you’d rather not see spiral into a full-blown legal battle. Maybe it’s a disagreement with a business partner, a supplier issue, or even something more personal. No matter the situation, mediation might be the solution you didn’t know you needed.
Mediation is a way to resolve disputes without going to court. It’s private, it’s often faster and far more affordable than litigation, and—this is important—it keeps you in control of the outcome. Instead of handing everything over to a judge, both parties sit down with a trained neutral third party—the mediator—who helps guide the conversation toward a fair and workable resolution.
At Peter Shaw Mediation, we specialise in commercial disputes, but before we get into that, let’s look at mediation more broadly.
At its core, mediation is a conversation—structured, guided, and focused on solutions. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about finding a way forward that both sides can live with. The mediator doesn’t make a decision or take sides. Their role is to manage the process, ask the right questions, and help both parties reach common ground.
Compared to a court hearing, mediation is a far more practical and flexible route. It’s a form of alternative dispute resolution that skips the stress of formal processes and instead focuses on finding real solutions. A typical mediation doesn’t involve courtroom drama or months of waiting—it usually takes place in a calm mediation meeting, where both parties can speak freely.
The mediation process is a confidential process, meaning everything discussed stays private. It involves open dialogue, guided by a neutral professional who helps both sides find common ground. If you reach an agreement, it’s written up as a mediation agreement or settlement agreement, which can be made legally binding. Mediation sessions are often quicker, less expensive, and far more constructive than going to court. It’s a chance to resolve disputes on your terms, not the court’s.
What makes it unique is that it’s voluntary. You’re not forced into it, and you can leave the process at any time. In many cases, especially in business, it helps avoid long-term damage to relationships while resolving the actual issue at hand.
Family mediation is one of the most common types. It’s used when couples separate or divorce and need to sort out things like parenting arrangements, finances, or property. Rather than battling it out in court, family mediation offers a safe space to have those difficult conversations with the help of a trained mediator. The goal is to find practical solutions that work for everyone involved—especially children.
It’s worth saying that family mediation isn’t about getting back together or rehashing old arguments. It’s about looking forward and finding a way to make life work after separation. It’s often quicker, less confrontational, and far less expensive than legal proceedings.
Commercial mediation is designed specifically for business disputes—whether it’s a breakdown between business partners, issues with suppliers or clients, shareholder disagreements, unpaid debts, contract breaches, or even professional negligence.
In the business world, disputes aren’t just about the issue itself. They often come with wider risks—delays, cost, reputational damage, and strained relationships. Going to court can take months, even years, and in that time, your business suffers. That’s why commercial mediation is such a valuable tool. It allows businesses to resolve issues privately, efficiently, and constructively—without throwing everything into chaos.
You might be wondering—why choose mediation over going straight to court? It comes down to three key things: control, cost, and outcome.
With mediation, you keep control. Instead of handing your future over to a judge who doesn’t know you, your business, or your goals, you decide what’s acceptable. You’re part of shaping the agreement and guiding the outcome. In the end, you walk away knowing you had a real say in the solution.
It also saves time and money. Legal proceedings are expensive and can drag on for years. Mediation is usually completed in a day or two. Even in more complex commercial cases, you’re still looking at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional litigation.
And finally, it tends to lead to better outcomes. Because it’s built on mutual agreement, not imposed decisions, there’s often more buy-in from both sides. That makes the resolution more likely to hold—and relationships more likely to recover.
If you’re considering mediation, there are a few best practices worth keeping in mind.
First, come prepared. Know your position, but also understand the other party’s interests.
Second, keep an open mind. You don’t have to agree with everything, but being flexible makes a big difference.
Third, pick the right mediator—someone who not only knows the law, but understands people. Someone calm, experienced, and fair.
Peter Shaw has nearly 40 years of legal experience—as a solicitor, a barrister, and now King’s Counsel. He’s handled complex, high-stakes disputes across all areas of commercial law. But it’s his work in mediation that brings all that experience together. Having represented clients in countless mediations, he knows what it takes to help parties find common ground—even when emotions are running high or the situation feels stuck.
Peter brings a calm, thoughtful approach to every session. He’s highly trained in communication and conflict resolution, and he doesn’t shy away from asking the tough questions. But he also listens—really listens—to understand what each side truly needs. That’s where real progress happens.
We often say that mediation is about more than compromise. It’s about clarity. It’s about cutting through the noise, seeing the bigger picture, and getting to a solution that works in the real world—not just in a courtroom.
If you’ve been wondering what is mediation and whether it’s right for your situation, the answer depends on what you’re hoping to achieve. If you want to avoid the delays and costs of litigation, if you value privacy, and if you’re open to finding common ground rather than pushing for a legal win, mediation is almost always worth considering.
At Peter Shaw Mediation, we’re focused on helping businesses resolve disputes with clarity, professionalism, and minimal disruption. Peter’s legal background, combined with his hands-on mediation skills and human approach, makes him a strong and reliable choice—especially when the stakes are high.
Conflict is part of business. But how you deal with it can make all the difference. If you’re ready to explore a smarter, more flexible way forward, we’re here to help. Let’s talk.
