Construction mediation in Scotland

Abstract

Recent research on construction mediation in Scotland has focused exclusively on construction lawyers' and contractors' interaction with the process, without reference to the views of mediators themselves. This paper seeks to address the knowledge gap, by exploring the attitudes and experiences of mediators relative to the process, based on research with practitioners in Scotland. Based on a modest sample, the survey results indicate a lack of awareness of the process within the construction industry, mediations were generally successful and success depended in large measure to the skills of the mediator and willingness by the parties to compromise. Conversely, the results indicate that mediations failed because of ignorance, intransigence and overconfidence of the parties. Barriers to greater use of mediation in construction disputes were identified as the lack of skilled, experienced mediators, the continued popularity of adjudication, and both lawyer and party resistance. Notwithstanding the English experience, Scottish mediators gave little support for mandating disputants to mediate before proceeding with court action. A surprising number were willing to give an evaluation of the dispute rather than merely facilitating a settlement. The research concludes that, in Scotland, mediation had not yet become the indispensable tool for those seeking to resolve construction disputes due to lack of support from disputing parties, their advisors and the judiciary.