Courts are not usually the right place to sort out problems caused by a communication difficulty or a misunderstanding. Talking to each other to find a solution that you can both live with can sometimes make it possible for you to go on having some kind of relationship in the future. This can be important if your dispute is with a neighbour or your landlord, a friend or family member, or your child’s school.

Sometimes, taking someone to court is likely to be your best or only option. For example, if you’re about to lose your children, your home or your job or be deported you may need an urgent solution; one that only a court can provide. If you are in one of these situations, get some legal advice quickly.

‘Alternative Dispute Resolution' (ADR) is the name for a range of options for resolving legal problems, often without going through the court process. You may also hear it called 'Appropriate Dispute Resolution'.

Ian's story

I tripped over a trailing wire at work and fell heavily, badly bruising my knee and breaking my right wrist. I had to have surgery on my wrist and later some physiotherapy. My knee was painful and swollen for some time. I got medical evidence to support my claim and legal advice about what my claim was worth. My employers dragged their feet and didn’t seem willing to accept responsibility or negotiate any kind of deal. So, in the end I had to start court proceedings even though I wanted to avoid going to court if possible. When I heard about mediation I agreed to go. Fortunately my employers did too. I was worried it would be difficult to be in the same room with them but I didn’t have to. They were in a different room from me. It took about two hours to sort out. In the end I accepted an increased offer from them. It wasn’t quite as much as I’d hoped for but it wasn’t far off what I’d been told my claim was worth. I was pleased I’d agreed to mediation; for me it was quicker and less stressful than going to court.

Source

https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/sort-out-your-legal-problem-or-instead-going-court