We have found mediation to be particularly beneficial in Intellectual Property disputes with results often being better than before the parties entered into the dispute. It opens up possibilities that do not exist in Court proceedings.
Costs vary, but are generally much lower than arbitration and far lower than litigation.
If the mediation is ordered by a Court, the situation is forced and the parties are less likely to mediate in good faith. We have found arbitration of moderate benefit. It can be useful where the parties are not open to settlement. Arbitration is usually expensive and is limited in results. Where the issue is one where one side must necessarily lose and the other must necessarily win, arbitration can provide a useful alternative to litigation.