Small Claims Mediation MoJ statistical data (April 2019 - Jan 2025)

Nellymoser

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d2b3c44702aacd2251cb8d/20250311_small_claims_mediation_March_2025.xlsx

Mediation settlement rate in

April 2024 - 50%

Jan 2025 - 36%

Seems the rate has dropped since mediation became mandatory in May 2024.

Coupon-mad

Thanks!

That lower figure makes sense, given that most people who have gone as far as defending a parking claim aren't daft enough to settle. And plenty are settled at a tenner (or less) by the leeches at DCB Legal.

And parking claims are believed to make up around a third of all small claims.

Atrocious that the MoJ has bent over backwards to facilitate the entire roboclaim scam of exaggerated, meritless, boilerplate claims by a known rogue industry.

Johnersh

The data shows that by 2025 nearly twice as many mediations took place, with total case numbers remaining broadly the same. Statistically you'd expect a drop off of settlement at that point, albeit perhaps not as high. It is, of course, still less cases coming to trial by 2025 than in 2024.

Fundamentally parking claims are unsuited to mediation.
1. The margin for a PPC if they concede any of the sum is too little - it's entirely unprofitable. So they will never offer meaningful concession.
2. The defendant can either ill- afford the PCN or is by now furious with stock letters and random cost enhancements such that they'll defend to the hilt.

Since there are no limits to the scope of mediation it can be used as an opportunity to point to weaknesses in the PPCs case. It's not a process of browbeating to pay (or shouldn't be).

Mediation with willing participants has a high success rate. On a chunkier dispute with a bit of nuance, it can really work to achieve resolution.

Car1980

I'm more interested in the 18,258 cases where mediation doesn't take place.

Even generously assuming 25% of defendants cave after a defence, directions questionnaire and mediation appointment letter that's 13,694 cases where the defendant (presumably) doesn't answer the phone (25% again).  

Not so mandatory after all. But then again, can you imagine a surgeon or a a school teacher taking 2 hours out of their working day sitting around waiting for a phone call?