Evaluation of the Small Claims Online Dispute Resolution Pilot

This report evaluates a small pilot of online dispute resolution run by Her Majesty's Courts Service. The scheme allowed parties in 25 cases to take part in their mediation online. The scheme was run from two courts, each with its own small claims mediator responsible for all online mediations. At allocation to the Small Claims Track, if parties expressed a willingness to mediate they were given the opportunity to opt for face to face, telephone or online mediation until all 25 online slots had been filled. The system used for the mediation was a customised platform. The system replicates the face to face mediation situation by providing discussion areas for open discussion between all parties and private discussion between each party and the mediator.