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Anon at 11.20: arbitration. The problem is (a) getting folks in a dispute to agree to use arbitration (the contract, if there is one, may mandate arbitration) and (b) the expense. It tends to be more expensive than litigation because the arbitrator must be paid too, and the arbitration process often follows court processes (but nowhere near as windy and complex). Arbitrators can and do adopt swifter and therefore cheaper processes, but it's difficult to get away from requiring clear expositions of each side's case, and written evidence (disclosure and some form of summary of witness evidence).

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators offers a fixed price arbitration service for business disputes under £5,000 - £100,000: £1250 plus VAT. See ciarb.org.

No good for negligence claims by individuals though.