The Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) has joined forces with a public sector consultancy to launch a mediation service aimed specifically at local government, at what is claimed to be a 'considerable' discount on normal rates.

The scheme, which will be available for cases worth less than £50,000, was set up by CEDR Solve, the centre's commercial mediation provider, in conjunction with consultancy Solace Enterprises.


The service will cover differences with suppliers, service closures, disputes within and between communities, planning matters and complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman.


It will include an eight-hour mediation day, plus four hours' preparation time.


Solicitor Bernard Quoroll, mediation manager for Solace Enterprises, said: 'Local government has its own style and culture, and it can help to have a mediator who has relevant experience. CEDR now has eight or nine mediators from a local government background.


'More and more senior managers in local government are beginning to appreciate that mediation has a role to play, and it is now going beyond just contract disputes into workplace conflicts.'