How to get started

What to do next

If you would like to achieve the best possible outcome for your dispute, and to achieve this in weeks instead of years, please get in touch. You can talk to us directly and don’t have to be ‘referred’ to us by the courts or other legal authority.

Whether you are the claimant in a dispute, or a legal representative, we can advise if your case is suitable for Independent Evaluation. If it is, we’ll then guide you through the process. We can also make contact with the opposing side to invite them to engage in the process, unless you prefer to liaise with them directly. Either way, we will ensure both parties are fully prepared for the Evaluation.

To get in touch, please call Jonathan Bishop on 020 3383 1000 or complete our enquiry form.

Referral to IE

Alternatively, your case might be referred to IE. Referral to IE is very simple and usually happens as a result of:

  • Voluntary referral by all parties;
  • Referral by one party, with a view to inviting the other party/parties to engage in the process.
  • A Pre-Action Protocol letter suggesting ADR;
  • The CPR, Case Management Direction or recommendation by a judge
  • The provisions of any ADR clause requiring referral to Independent Evaluation as the primary route in the parties’ agreed dispute resolution process.
  • Avoid the CPR 3.1 (2) (m) rule

IE is the ideal way to avoid an order under the CPR 3.1 (2) (m) rule

The courts now expect parties to have used ADR to attempt to settle their dispute before legal proceedings are commenced. If not, at the very first Costs & Case Management Conference, the court will want to know why ADR has not been attempted and may well order the parties to attempt early neutral evaluation, pursuant to CPR 3.1(2)(m). In light of this rule and the potential for adverse costs consequences, it is prudent for parties to refer to IE early on, before issuing proceedings.

Avoid £10,000 issue proceedings

It is also sensible to use IE to achieve the best possible resolution, before committing to spend up to £10,000 to issue proceedings to go to court.

Refer your case to IE

To refer your case to IE, please call Jonathan Bishop on 020 3383 1000 or complete our enquiry form.