Court-based Mediation: A preliminary analysis of the small claims mediation scheme at Exeter County Court

This report analyses data collected between the end of December 2003 and the end of February 2004. The data comprises a limited analysis of case files and personal interviews with parties attending mediation hearings at Exeter County Court. Additionally, all mediations, which took place during this period, were observed.The purpose of this report is to provide a preliminary analysis of the Exeter small claims scheme, ie claims of up to £5,000, in order to determine whether the scheme achieves its objective to maximise efficiency in the use of the judicial resources at Exeter County Court as well as increasing satisfaction for the parties. At present the mediation service is provided free of charge to parties.Civil Justice Counci