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I agree that it probably hasn't made any difference to the settlement rate, but I think cases are settling earlier. This will be due to a number of factors - the increase in court fees, the pre-action protocols and the other pushes by the Courts to encourage settlement amongst them - but I think mediation has played a part as well. I avoid mediation where I can - because it isn't a cheap option - but there are cases where it's appropriate and I think those cases are settling earlier than they might otherwise do.