Post By: Harvinder Singh Bhurji
In a recent interview with the Director and the Lead Mediator Harvinder Singh Bhurji of Effective Dispute Solutions he talked everything mediation. On the 4th of April 2026 his mediation company celebrated twenty-four years of providing mediation services.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a process which is facilitated by an accredited mediator, who must be independent, impartial, not take sides, nor make any judgements. Leading two or more individuals in dispute towards an acceptable solution.
The mediation process is voluntary, so nobody can be compelled to mediate. The whole process is without prejudice, which means anything that is said and done at the mediation cannot be referred to any future litigation should it proceed.
Confidentiality is paramount to any mediation. Indeed, it is one of the beauties of mediation, which is such an attractive option to those in dispute. The fact that mediation is private, not going to be reported in any court transcripts, the result being plastered all over the international news and (social) media, not only makes it a favoured option, but one that is likely to work.
The benefits of mediation.
There are too many to mention. But the main ones are that it is less expensive, takes a day at most, and is less stressful when compared to typical court litigation or an employment tribunal.
Cost effective – Taking an example from the United Kingdom. A straightforward contract dispute with a claim value of £50,000 would easily take £20,000 at a minimum to issue a court claim and get the case ready for trial. Where the majority of the costs would be spent on lawyers. But then the real hurdles start which need to be overcome.
- A full-blown trial would cost anywhere between £50,000 – £70,000. Which makes no sense when you just wanted to recoup £50,000 in the first place!
- You need to win at trial and be granted judgement in your favour.
- Brillant, I hear you say, I have won and I will get all my money back?! No, you will not. Firstly, the defendant has to have the money to give you back, if they do not, you have judgement, but where will you get this invisible money from which does not exist?
- If they do have the money then you will only get what you are owed the original £50,000, and 65% – 70% of the total legal fees you incurred.
What happens if you lose?
If you lose at trial you will have to pay all your legal costs and the defendants legal costs, and anything else they claim for and are awarded. Therefore, you would lose the £50,000 you were originally claiming for, the £50,000 you incurred in legal fees, as well as the £50,000 the defendant racked up in legal fees. Yes, that is right, a whopping £150,000 down the drain.
However, if you mediate a £50,000 claim, it will cost anywhere between £750 – £1500 per party for a one-day mediation. Which if successful saves incurring further legal costs, which has to sound more attractive?
Time saver – A final court hearing will take anywhere between one – two years. A mediation lasts one day. Eight to ten hours v anywhere up to two years has got to be better.
Stress buster – The risk of litigation, the sleepless nights, anxiety of spiralling legal costs which you cannot afford, and or were earmarked for paying off your mortgage, or something more important. The uncertainly of judgement being found in your favour, against you, is enough to fill the strongest person with dread. And or leading to physical, mental and emotional scars that cannot be repaired. Mediation removes all of this hassle in just one day.
What can be mediated?
Bhurji said everything, the bulk of his international practice which spans the United Kingdom, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Japan, Germany, Israel, South Africa, Greece, Italy and the United States of America has consisted of workplace, boundary, contract, landlord & tenant, professional negligence, defamation, probate, property, debt, company shareholder & director disputes.
“It is easier to say what I have not mediated, than what I have.” With 2000+ disputes under his belt we asked Bhurji, “do you still enjoy it?”
“If I am honest like any occupation, you have your good and bad days. I do still enjoy mediating, especially where an impossible dispute looks like it has no chance of settling. Or where you get extremely difficult parties, who have little to no faith in the process or the mediator, i.e. me and it ends up settling.
I have been so fortunate to be flown across the globe to various countries (which were on my bucket list) to mediate. Meeting many interesting and diverse people, from all faiths, religions and cultures. The visual sigh of relief on the parties’ face once a settlement has been reached is such job satisfaction.”
Mediation company future?
Since COVID online mediation services have recently taken off. It is so much convenient and easier for all involved to include the mediator to mediate over zoom. This helps immensely when the parties are based in different locations, countries, cities and jurisdictions. Of course, in person mediation still has its place, and must be used when appropriate to do so.
“But online mediation is no fad, it is here to stay, in fact the bulk of my practice is now online mediation. I have enjoyed my twenty fours years of mediation and I look forward to the next 24 years.”
Guest Post Disclaimer:
This article is a guest post and does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Century Law Firm. The content and any links provided within the post are the sole responsibility of the author. Century Law Firm does not endorse, support, represent, or guarantee the completeness, truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of any information, claims, or links contained within this guest post. We accept no responsibility or liability for the content, any errors or omissions, or any potential damages or consequences that may arise from reading or relying on it. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and come to their own conclusions before following any links or acting on the information presented.
