MEDIATION has become an increasingly popular alternative to settling disputes in court and the benefits of mediation were highlighted recently during Mediation Awareness Week.

One area that has seen a significant adoption of mediation is the veterinary sector. Many veterinary professionals have recognised that mediation has numerous advantages compared to going to court, as it is normally much less expensive, much less time-consuming and also totally confidential. In an age when legal disputes are becoming more and more common, mediation can offer a relatively “civilised” way to resolve them.

The veterinary mediation service is where highly experienced veterinary surgeons, who are also fully qualified mediators, utilise their skills and experience as mediators. They are obviously particularly well qualified in sorting out disputes involving animals but are also able to tackle the multitude of dispute problems.

Nick Mills, a member of The Veterinary Mediation Associations says: “Veterinary mediation is now seen as a quick and cost effective method of resolving disputes. In an age where disputes are becoming increasingly prevalent , it brings some ‘common sense’ to dispute resolution”.

Some recent high profile disputes involving animals include Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, who both wanted custody of their corgi-cross pet dog ‘Norman’ and Sir Alex Ferguson and John Magnier (the boss of the Coolmore bloodstock empire) who had a major dispute over the ownership of the thoroughbred racehourse and now stallion ‘Rock of Gibraltar’.

For further information on veterinary mediation, please go to www.veterinary mediation.com