Questions and answers

Dispute Neutral is a private, fixed-fee service that resolves business disputes up to £150,000 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Both parties agree to let an independent neutral decide the dispute. Each side sends its documents and a written case, and the neutral issues a written, binding decision within 10 business days of the matter being ready.

Disputes between businesses that can be decided fairly on the documents. Typical examples are unpaid or part-paid invoices, payment withheld over quality or delay, unpaid professional fees, and disagreements under supply, service and subcontract agreements. We can also give non-money decisions on commercial matters, such as what a contract means.

Disputes that need detailed expert evidence or live witness evidence are usually not suitable. If you are unsure, email us before you start.

Not at present. Dispute Neutral decides disputes between businesses: companies, partnerships and sole traders acting in the course of business. Disputes with consumers, such as homeowners or parents paying school fees, are not currently accepted.

£150,000, excluding interest, costs and VAT.

England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. The parties choose which law and forum applies when they start the case.

None of these. It is a private, contract-based decision service. Unlike mediation, you get a decision rather than a negotiation. Unlike court, it is private, fixed-fee and decided on the documents. We do not act for either party and do not give legal advice.

The neutral acts as an expert, not as an arbitrator, so the Arbitration Act does not apply. The process is simpler, shorter and much cheaper than most arbitration, and the decision is binding because both parties agree in a contract to accept it.

Yes. Before the case starts, both parties sign an agreement (the Contractual Decision Matrix) promising to accept the decision. The decision is final and binding except in cases of fraud or manifest error.

The decision is binding on both parties. If it is not followed, the other party can enforce it. Because the outcome has already been decided, this usually cuts out much of the time and court process: depending on the matter, it may be possible to apply straight for summary judgment or, where appropriate, to serve a statutory demand. The right course depends on the matter.

An independent neutral: a lawyer with at least 15 years’ practical experience. We check for conflicts of interest before accepting each case. The neutral applies the contract, the relevant law and commercial common sense.

No. Dispute Neutral is a private, contract-based decision service, not a law firm. Neither side is represented or advised: both have agreed to an independent decision.

Our neutrals bring at least 15 years’ real-world experience in the legal profession, often considerably more. Some are in current practice; others have moved on from day-to-day practice. What every neutral brings to your case is practical judgement, commercial common sense and complete independence from both sides.

Whatever a neutral’s own professional status, the Dispute Neutral service itself is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Bar Standards Board or any other legal regulator. When deciding a case, the neutral acts as an independent expert, not as a solicitor or barrister for either side.

No. Both parties agree in advance that the decision is final, which is what makes the process quick and certain. The only exceptions are fraud or manifest error.

Yes. Nothing is published. The process is not public and the decision is not published. Only if a decision is not followed and has to be enforced might the court become involved.

Yes. Because the decision is binding, both parties must sign the agreement. If your contract already includes a Dispute Neutral clause, the other party has already agreed to use us.

Use our ready-made invitation. It explains the process in plain English and sets out why it is in their interest too: a fixed cost, no court proceedings, a private process and a full chance to put their side in writing.

We cannot decide the case without both parties’ agreement. But since October 2024, courts in England and Wales can order parties to try alternative dispute resolution, and can take an unreasonable refusal to engage in it into account when deciding costs. Keep a record of your offer. Read more about the rule change.

Agreeing is not an admission that you owe anything. It gives you a full chance to put your side in writing to an independent lawyer, privately and at a fixed cost, without open-ended legal bills or a public court case. Read our guide for businesses receiving a claim.

One fixed fee based on the amount in dispute: £650 + VAT up to £4,000; £900 + VAT from £4,001 to £10,000; £1,200 + VAT from £10,001 to £25,000; £1,500 + VAT from £25,001 to £150,000; and £1,500 + VAT for a non-money decision on a commercial matter. An optional clarification call is £200 + VAT. See pricing.

Either one party pays, or the parties split it 50:50. You choose when you start the case.

No. The process is designed so that business owners can take part themselves. You may use a solicitor or adviser if you wish, at your own cost.

Yes. Move the case up to a higher fee band, which comes with a higher page limit. You can do this when you start, or later through an additional payment.

The decision is issued within 10 business days of the matter being ready. The matter is ready once both parties have signed, uploaded their documents and confirmed they are content to proceed. If a clarification call is held, the 10 days run from the call. How quickly you reach that point depends mostly on how fast both sides send their papers.

No. The case is decided on the documents. If something needs explaining, either party or the neutral can ask for a short clarification call.

No. In court, even a small claim follows the court’s timetable, deadlines and hearings during the working day. With Dispute Neutral, both businesses upload their documents through the online platform whenever it suits them, including evenings and weekends, without taking time out of the working day.

One written case statement and one file of supporting evidence, each as a single PDF, plus the core contract documents. The page limit depends on the fee band: 15, 25, 30 or 50 pages per side.

Uploaded documents remain available for 14 days after the decision and are then deleted automatically. See our privacy notice.

Yes, and it is the best way to avoid arguments later. We publish draft clauses for terms of business, commercial agreements and websites.

Usually, yes. Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, businesses can claim statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus fixed compensation of £40, £70 or £100 per invoice depending on its size, unless the contract says otherwise. Use our free calculator.

It is good practice and is expected before court proceedings. It also often prompts payment. Read our guide to letters before action.