DQ - Forced into mediation?

Young_saver22

Hello all,
I am preparing my Directions Questionnaire (N180) on my case and the online form includes this statement within the first section (A):

"As part of your case, HMCTS will provide a free, confidential Small Claims Mediation Service. For all money claims for £10,000 or less, parties are required to attend a mediation appointment organised by the Small Claims Mediation Service."

Does this mean we no longer have the option to choose not the enter mediation and there's nothing we can do about it? I see the original guidance posted by Bargepole advised not to agree to mediation.

Many thanks!

Grizebeck

Yes but you just say zero offer end off

KeithP

Is this related to your existing thread?...
forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6525518/dcbl-strikes-again-and-im-up-for-it

Young_saver22

Hello KeithP

Yes it's the same matter, just a general question on the DQ as it seems mediation may no longer be optional?

Grizebeck

That us vorrect

fll7jkh

Has anyone actually gone through the phone mediation thing? I've just been given a date for phone mediation as the last step before going to court. I have no interest in mediation and just want to go to court and see these cretins lose. An advice re how blunt can I / should (or shouldn't) I be with the mediator to this end?

LDast

It is only compulsory to attend the phone call. There is no requirement to actually agree to the mediation. You simply offer £0 and the whole thing is over in less than 5 minutes and you have complied with the requirement to "attend". It is not a trial and the mediator is not a judge. Most likely a "yoof" who has had 20 minutes training.

Coupon-mad

Young_saver22 said:

Hello KeithP

Yes it's the same matter, just a general question on the DQ as it seems mediation may no longer be optional?

No need for another thread though, because compulsory mediation is already explained (with explanatory links x 2) in the first 12 steps of the Template Defence thread.