In short
Add one of the three draft clauses on this page to your terms of business, commercial agreement or website terms, edited in line with your own legal advice. They refer disputes up to £75,000 to Dispute Neutral automatically, and disputes over £75,000 up to £150,000 only if both sides agree in writing after the dispute arises.
Key facts
- Each clause applies only where both parties act in the course of business; Dispute Neutral does not currently decide consumer disputes.
- Disputes up to and including £75,000, excluding interest, costs and VAT, are referred to Dispute Neutral automatically.
- Disputes over £75,000 and up to £150,000 go to Dispute Neutral only if both parties agree in writing after the dispute arises.
- The neutral acts as an expert, not an arbitrator. The decision is final and binding, except for fraud or manifest error.
- Each party must sign the Contractual Decision Matrix and pay its share of the fee within 7 days of a written request.
Why add Dispute Neutral to your contracts?
If your terms already say that disputes go to Dispute Neutral, there is nothing to negotiate when something goes wrong. Both businesses have agreed the route in advance: a private, fixed-fee, binding decision by an independent lawyer within 10 business days of the matter being ready.
- Free to use: copy a clause and add it to your terms
- No need to persuade the other side once the relationship has soured
- Gives slow payers less room to use a vague dispute as a reason to delay
- Shows customers and suppliers you have a fair, fast way to settle disagreements
How to add it
- 1. Choose a versionTerms of business, a general commercial agreement, or a short version for business-to-business websites.
- 2. Copy itUse the copy button under each clause.
- 3. Add it to your termsPaste it in and ask your own lawyer to check it fits your contracts.
Before you use the clauses
These drafts are offered for guidance. They are not legal advice and we do not accept liability for their use, so please adapt them with your own legal advice.
Dispute Neutral covers disputes in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. Each clause refers to the Contractual Decision Matrix: the short agreement both parties sign, once a dispute is referred, to accept the neutral’s decision.
Dispute Neutral decides disputes between businesses only: companies, partnerships and sole traders acting in the course of business. It does not currently accept disputes involving consumers. These clauses are therefore for business-to-business contracts only. Do not use them in consumer terms: a binding clause like these in a contract with a consumer may also be unfair under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
1. Supplier / customer terms of business version
Recommended Dispute Neutral clause
This clause applies only where the Supplier and the Customer each enter into this agreement in the course of their business, and neither is acting as a consumer.
If any dispute, claim or difference arises between the Supplier and the Customer out of or in connection with this agreement, and the total amount in dispute is up to and including £75,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT, the parties shall refer that dispute to Dispute Neutral at www.disputeneutral.com for determination by an independent neutral acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator, subject to Dispute Neutral confirming its willingness to accept the appointment and the independence of the appointed neutral.
If the total amount in dispute is more than £75,000 and up to and including £150,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT, the dispute may be referred to Dispute Neutral only if both parties agree in writing after the dispute has arisen.
No matter shall be referred to Dispute Neutral if it is not suitable or legally capable of determination through the Dispute Neutral service, or if its fair determination requires expert evidence, save for straightforward supporting material of a limited kind, including matters such as a schedule of defects.
Each party shall, within 7 days of a written request by the other, co-operate in good faith and do all things reasonably required to enable the referral to proceed, including completing and signing the applicable Contractual Decision Matrix (the short agreement both parties sign to accept the neutral’s decision) and paying its required share of the Dispute Neutral fee.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing or provided in the applicable Dispute Neutral process, the parties shall bear the Dispute Neutral fee equally in the first instance.
The neutral’s determination shall be final and binding on the parties, save in the case of fraud or manifest error.
Neither party shall commence court proceedings in relation to a dispute falling within this clause unless:
(a) Dispute Neutral declines to accept the referral;
(b) no independent neutral can reasonably be appointed through Dispute Neutral;
(c) the other party fails within 7 days of written request to complete the Contractual Decision Matrix or otherwise co-operate with the referral;
(d) the dispute is outside the scope of this clause; or
(e) court proceedings are reasonably required for urgent interim relief or to enforce the binding determination.
If either party starts court proceedings in breach of this clause, the other may rely on this clause in seeking a stay, strike-out, dismissal and/or an appropriate costs order, and may claim damages for any additional costs caused by that breach.
If any dispute, claim or difference arises between the Supplier and the Customer out of or in connection with this agreement, and the total amount in dispute is up to and including £75,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT, the parties shall refer that dispute to Dispute Neutral at www.disputeneutral.com for determination by an independent neutral acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator, subject to Dispute Neutral confirming its willingness to accept the appointment and the independence of the appointed neutral.
If the total amount in dispute is more than £75,000 and up to and including £150,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT, the dispute may be referred to Dispute Neutral only if both parties agree in writing after the dispute has arisen.
No matter shall be referred to Dispute Neutral if it is not suitable or legally capable of determination through the Dispute Neutral service, or if its fair determination requires expert evidence, save for straightforward supporting material of a limited kind, including matters such as a schedule of defects.
Each party shall, within 7 days of a written request by the other, co-operate in good faith and do all things reasonably required to enable the referral to proceed, including completing and signing the applicable Contractual Decision Matrix (the short agreement both parties sign to accept the neutral’s decision) and paying its required share of the Dispute Neutral fee.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing or provided in the applicable Dispute Neutral process, the parties shall bear the Dispute Neutral fee equally in the first instance.
The neutral’s determination shall be final and binding on the parties, save in the case of fraud or manifest error.
Neither party shall commence court proceedings in relation to a dispute falling within this clause unless:
(a) Dispute Neutral declines to accept the referral;
(b) no independent neutral can reasonably be appointed through Dispute Neutral;
(c) the other party fails within 7 days of written request to complete the Contractual Decision Matrix or otherwise co-operate with the referral;
(d) the dispute is outside the scope of this clause; or
(e) court proceedings are reasonably required for urgent interim relief or to enforce the binding determination.
If either party starts court proceedings in breach of this clause, the other may rely on this clause in seeking a stay, strike-out, dismissal and/or an appropriate costs order, and may claim damages for any additional costs caused by that breach.
Then paste it into your terms and check it with your lawyer.
2. General commercial agreement version
Recommended Dispute Neutral clause
This clause applies only where each party enters into this Agreement in the course of its business, and no party is acting as a consumer.
Any dispute, claim or difference arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, including any question concerning its existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination, where the total amount in dispute is up to and including £75,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT, shall be referred to Dispute Neutral at www.disputeneutral.com for determination by an independent neutral acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator, subject to Dispute Neutral confirming its acceptance of the referral and the independence of the appointed neutral.
Any such dispute where the total amount in dispute is more than £75,000 and up to and including £150,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT may be referred to Dispute Neutral only if the parties agree in writing after the dispute has arisen.
No matter shall be referred to Dispute Neutral if it is not suitable or legally capable of determination through the Dispute Neutral service, or if its fair determination requires expert evidence, save for straightforward supporting material of a limited kind, including matters such as a schedule of defects.
Within 7 days of written notice from either party requiring a referral under this clause, each party shall execute the applicable Contractual Decision Matrix (the short agreement both parties sign to accept the neutral’s decision), provide such information as is reasonably required to commence the process, and pay its required share of the applicable Dispute Neutral fee.
Unless the Contractual Decision Matrix or final determination provides otherwise, the parties shall bear the Dispute Neutral fee equally in the first instance.
The expert’s determination shall be final and binding on the parties, save in the case of fraud or manifest error.
No party shall commence or continue court proceedings in relation to a dispute within this clause except where:
(a) Dispute Neutral declines or is unable to accept the matter;
(b) no independent neutral can reasonably be appointed through Dispute Neutral;
(c) the other party fails to execute the Contractual Decision Matrix or otherwise materially fails to co-operate with the referral within 7 days of written request;
(d) the dispute is outside the scope of this clause; or
(e) proceedings are reasonably required for urgent interim relief or for enforcement of the expert determination.
A party acting in breach of this clause shall be liable for the additional costs, losses and expenses reasonably incurred by the other as a result of that breach, subject to the court’s control over any costs claimed in proceedings.
Any dispute, claim or difference arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, including any question concerning its existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination, where the total amount in dispute is up to and including £75,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT, shall be referred to Dispute Neutral at www.disputeneutral.com for determination by an independent neutral acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator, subject to Dispute Neutral confirming its acceptance of the referral and the independence of the appointed neutral.
Any such dispute where the total amount in dispute is more than £75,000 and up to and including £150,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT may be referred to Dispute Neutral only if the parties agree in writing after the dispute has arisen.
No matter shall be referred to Dispute Neutral if it is not suitable or legally capable of determination through the Dispute Neutral service, or if its fair determination requires expert evidence, save for straightforward supporting material of a limited kind, including matters such as a schedule of defects.
Within 7 days of written notice from either party requiring a referral under this clause, each party shall execute the applicable Contractual Decision Matrix (the short agreement both parties sign to accept the neutral’s decision), provide such information as is reasonably required to commence the process, and pay its required share of the applicable Dispute Neutral fee.
Unless the Contractual Decision Matrix or final determination provides otherwise, the parties shall bear the Dispute Neutral fee equally in the first instance.
The expert’s determination shall be final and binding on the parties, save in the case of fraud or manifest error.
No party shall commence or continue court proceedings in relation to a dispute within this clause except where:
(a) Dispute Neutral declines or is unable to accept the matter;
(b) no independent neutral can reasonably be appointed through Dispute Neutral;
(c) the other party fails to execute the Contractual Decision Matrix or otherwise materially fails to co-operate with the referral within 7 days of written request;
(d) the dispute is outside the scope of this clause; or
(e) proceedings are reasonably required for urgent interim relief or for enforcement of the expert determination.
A party acting in breach of this clause shall be liable for the additional costs, losses and expenses reasonably incurred by the other as a result of that breach, subject to the court’s control over any costs claimed in proceedings.
Then paste it into your terms and check it with your lawyer.
3. Short website version
For websites selling to business customers only.
Short-form recommended clause
This clause applies only where both parties are acting in the course of business, and neither is a consumer.
The parties agree that any dispute arising out of or in connection with this agreement, where the amount in dispute is up to and including £75,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT, shall be referred to Dispute Neutral at www.disputeneutral.com for determination by an independent neutral acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator, subject to Dispute Neutral accepting the referral and confirming the neutral’s independence.
Any such dispute where the amount in dispute is more than £75,000 and up to and including £150,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT may be referred to Dispute Neutral only if both parties agree in writing after the dispute has arisen.
No matter shall be referred to Dispute Neutral if it is not suitable or legally capable of determination through the Dispute Neutral service, or if its fair determination requires expert evidence beyond simple supporting material such as a schedule of defects.
Each party shall promptly co-operate in completing and signing the applicable Contractual Decision Matrix (the short agreement both parties sign to accept the neutral’s decision) and paying its required share of the Dispute Neutral fee.
The expert’s determination shall be final and binding, save in the case of fraud or manifest error.
No party shall commence court proceedings in relation to a dispute falling within this clause unless Dispute Neutral declines or is unable to accept the matter, the dispute falls outside the scope of this clause, urgent interim relief is required, or proceedings are needed to enforce the determination.
The parties agree that any dispute arising out of or in connection with this agreement, where the amount in dispute is up to and including £75,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT, shall be referred to Dispute Neutral at www.disputeneutral.com for determination by an independent neutral acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator, subject to Dispute Neutral accepting the referral and confirming the neutral’s independence.
Any such dispute where the amount in dispute is more than £75,000 and up to and including £150,000 excluding interest, costs and VAT may be referred to Dispute Neutral only if both parties agree in writing after the dispute has arisen.
No matter shall be referred to Dispute Neutral if it is not suitable or legally capable of determination through the Dispute Neutral service, or if its fair determination requires expert evidence beyond simple supporting material such as a schedule of defects.
Each party shall promptly co-operate in completing and signing the applicable Contractual Decision Matrix (the short agreement both parties sign to accept the neutral’s decision) and paying its required share of the Dispute Neutral fee.
The expert’s determination shall be final and binding, save in the case of fraud or manifest error.
No party shall commence court proceedings in relation to a dispute falling within this clause unless Dispute Neutral declines or is unable to accept the matter, the dispute falls outside the scope of this clause, urgent interim relief is required, or proceedings are needed to enforce the determination.
Then paste it into your terms and check it with your lawyer.
Clauses last reviewed 22 October 2026.