Dispute Neutral Start a case

Ask the other side to agree

Both parties need to agree before we can decide a dispute. Here is a short, neutral email you can copy, edit and send.

Email to the other party

Replace the words in square brackets. Keep the tone calm: the aim is to get a yes.

Subject: Resolving [the invoice / the dispute] quickly and fairly

Dear [name],

We still disagree about [briefly describe the dispute, for example: invoice 1234 for £8,500]. Rather than let this drag on or go to court, I would like to suggest that we ask an independent neutral to decide it.

Dispute Neutral (www.disputeneutral.com) is a private service for business disputes. It works like this:

- We each send our documents and a written explanation of our side.
- An independent lawyer with at least 15 years' experience reads everything and gives a written decision within 10 business days of both sides' documents being in.
- There is no hearing, and neither of us needs a solicitor.
- The fee is fixed at £[650 / 900 / 1,200 / 1,500] + VAT, depending on the amount, and we can split it 50:50.
- The outcome is private. Nothing goes on a public register.

We would both agree in advance to accept the decision, so this would settle the matter for good, at a known cost, and you would have a full chance to put your side in writing.

You can see how it works at www.disputeneutral.com/how-it-works.html. Please let me know by [date] whether you agree, and I will start the process.

Kind regards,
[your name]
[your business]
Start the case

Why they often say yes

  • A fixed, shared cost instead of open-ended legal fees
  • No open-ended legal bills
  • No public court case
  • A full chance to put their side to an independent lawyer
  • Done in weeks, not months

If they refuse

Keep a copy of your email. Courts in England and Wales expect parties to consider alternatives to court, and can take an unreasonable refusal to engage into account when deciding costs. Read more.

Sending this email is not legal advice and does not start a case. It simply invites the other party to agree.

Avoid having to ask next time

Add a Dispute Neutral clause to your terms of business. Then, if a dispute arises, both parties have already agreed how it will be decided.

See the contract clauses