When a business disagreement arises—whether it’s between partners, shareholders, clients or suppliers—it can easily grow into something costly and disruptive. You might think court is the only way to resolve it. But the reality is, there’s often a far better path. That’s where alternative dispute resolution comes in.
At Peter Shaw Mediation, we specialise in using ADR—specifically mediation—to help resolve business-related disputes efficiently, privately, and with a practical mindset. But before we get into how mediation works, let’s step back and look at what alternative dispute resolution actually is, and why it matters.
Alternative dispute resolution, often shortened to ADR, refers to a range of processes used to settle disputes without resorting to formal court proceedings. The key word here is alternative. It’s not about avoiding accountability. It’s about choosing a route that’s more flexible, often faster, and usually far less costly than litigation.
The law supports this approach. Courts now actively encourage parties to consider ADR before filing claims, especially in commercial disputes. Why? Because in many cases, ADR works. It offers a chance to resolve disagreements while maintaining business relationships, reducing costs, and keeping everything behind closed doors—rather than airing your company’s issues in a public courtroom.
There are several forms of ADR, each with its own style and level of formality. The main ones are mediation, arbitration, and early neutral evaluation.
Let’s go through them briefly, and then we’ll dig deeper into mediation, which is the route we focus on at Peter Shaw Mediation.
Arbitration is more formal. It feels a bit like a private court. You and the other party agree to let an independent arbitrator make a legally binding decision on the dispute. It’s commonly used in contracts where the parties agree in advance to use arbitration if problems arise.
Early Neutral Evaluation involves getting an expert’s view on the likely outcome of a case. This can help both sides understand their strengths and weaknesses, which might encourage early settlement. It’s more advisory and doesn’t result in a binding decision unless the parties agree to it.
Mediation, on the other hand, is a more collaborative process. And in commercial settings, it’s often the most effective tool available.
Mediation brings all the parties into a room—physically or virtually—and gives them a chance to speak openly, listen, and work towards a resolution. The process is guided by a neutral third party (the mediator) who doesn’t take sides, doesn’t make rulings, and doesn’t tell anyone what they must do. Instead, the mediator helps clarify issues, manage emotions, and guide the conversation so that everyone can find a solution they can live with.
It’s informal, flexible, and entirely confidential. And while it doesn’t guarantee a result, the success rate is high—particularly when the parties are genuinely open to resolving things and the mediator knows how to manage the dynamics in the room.
Peter Shaw brings decades of experience to this process. With a background as a solicitor, barrister, and King’s Counsel, Peter understands the law, the commercial realities behind a dispute, and the human behaviour that often drives conflict. He has worked with shareholders, company directors, investors, and business owners across a wide range of industries—helping them work through difficult disputes without destroying their businesses or their reputations.
If you’re facing a dispute, the first thing to do is to pause and consider all your options. Jumping straight to legal action may feel like a power move, but it’s rarely the most efficient one. Ask yourself: What’s the real goal here? Is it about being heard, protecting assets, preserving a business relationship, or just putting the issue behind you with minimal fuss?
In most commercial cases, ADR—especially mediation—offers a better chance of achieving that goal than litigation.
Get early advice from someone who understands the process. At Peter Shaw Mediation, we often speak with clients before mediation even begins, helping them think through the situation, what they want to achieve, and what a successful outcome could look like.
It’s also important to be open to compromise. Mediation isn’t about one side giving up and the other walking away victorious. It’s about both sides moving towards a shared solution that feels fair and gives everyone a way out of the dispute with dignity intact.
Whether you’re dealing with a commercial disagreement or something like consumer disputes, the general rule today is to consider alternative dispute resolution before launching into a court case. It’s faster, more flexible, and often avoids the steep legal costs that can pile up in traditional litigation. ADR schemes—like mediation, and other structured processes—give disputing parties a better chance at resolving disputes in a way that feels fair and constructive. These ADR procedures are supported by the ADR Directive across the UK and the EU, making them a recognised part of modern dispute resolution processes.
At Peter Shaw Mediation, we focus on commercial matters, but the principle is the same: most disputes, when handled through the right ADR providers, can be settled quickly and with far less stress. If you’re not sure which ADR options apply to your situation or how a particular contract term affects your case, get in touch—we’ll provide clear, practical guidance and further information to help you move forward.
Alternative dispute resolution isn’t just a legal option—it’s a mindset. It’s about choosing collaboration over confrontation, solutions over stand-offs. And in business, that approach often leads to better outcomes—both financially and personally.
At Peter Shaw Mediation, we’re here to help you navigate that path with confidence. With deep experience in commercial disputes and a strong focus on mediation, Peter helps clients move from conflict to resolution in a way that’s clear, efficient, and built around your goals—not courtroom drama.
If you’re in the middle of a dispute—or worried one is brewing—reach out to us. Let’s talk about whether mediation could help you resolve things faster, more privately, and with the clarity your business needs to move forward.
