Small-claims mediation: what should I do?
Attend as instructed, prepare a short account of your claim and decide what settlement you can accept. Clarify every payment and return obligation before agreeing: the verbal settlement at the appointment is legally binding. Check and keep the written settlement afterwards. Gather any relevant order records from Cambridge China Bridge.
Check the referral and protect the appointment
This guide concerns a personal China purchase from a UK seller after referral to small-claims mediation in England or Wales. If the court tells you that attendance is mandatory, attend as instructed. A judge may impose sanctions for missing the scheduled appointment. The mediator speaks to each party separately; this is not a conference call.
Read the appointment notice and check the contact details, availability window and case reference. Arrange a quiet place, reliable phone reception and access to your papers. If you cannot attend or need an interpreter or other support, contact the mediation service promptly using the notice. Ask what arrangements are possible and obtain confirmation of any change.
Prepare an explanation you can give by phone
Use our claim preparation guide to organise the underlying records. For the call, prepare a short explanation covering what you ordered, what went wrong, what the UK seller disputes and what you want. Keep the relevant order, payment, delivery and complaint records easy to find.
Prepare a supported calculation of the amount sought and explain each component. Separate money already spent from estimates. Keep a private note of your preferred outcome and acceptable alternatives. For a replacement or return, consider collection, postage, packaging, inspection and the risk of another unsuccessful delivery before accepting an offer.
Make settlement authority clear
Decide before the call what you can agree yourself. If someone will negotiate for you, ask the service to confirm the arrangements beforehand and give that person clear instructions about acceptable terms. A companion offering support and a representative approving a settlement have different roles; explain who will do what.
Ask whether the seller's participant can approve the proposed refund or other remedy. If approval is needed elsewhere, ask how it will be obtained during the appointment. The parties decide the settlement, rather than the mediator. Our general mediation guide covers wider preparation and checking whether proposed remedies can be delivered.
Clarify the terms before saying you agree
The verbal agreement made at the mediation appointment is legally binding. Do not assume that you can reconsider freely before signing paperwork. Ask the mediator to read back the complete proposed terms and clarify anything unclear before confirming agreement. If you need legal advice on a proposed release or other wording, raise that before agreeing.
Identify the buyer, UK seller, claim and order covered. Specify the payment amount, payment method and agreed deadline. For returned goods, settle the authorised address, collection or posting arrangements, costs and evidence of completion. Ask whether payment depends on return or inspection, which issues the settlement resolves and what happens if the promised performance fails.
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Keep and check the settlement record
You will receive the agreed terms in a document called a settlement agreement. Check it against the terms confirmed on the call, including names, payment details, deadlines and goods arrangements. Raise any discrepancy promptly with the mediation service and keep the document and correspondence together. Ask how the settlement will be recorded against your court claim.
Track payment and any return separately, keeping receipts and delivery evidence. For a request to close a marketplace dispute, use our closing a dispute before a refund guide. If the seller fails to perform, contact the court with the settlement and your performance records. If no agreement is reached, follow subsequent court instructions and use our complaint and court guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to attend small-claims mediation?
If the court tells you attendance is mandatory, attend as instructed. A judge may impose sanctions for missing the appointment. Contact the service promptly if you cannot attend.
Do I have to accept the seller's offer?
The parties decide whether to settle and on what terms. Prepare acceptable alternatives and explain your position. Clarify the complete offer before agreeing.
Can someone negotiate at mediation for me?
Ask the mediation service to confirm the arrangements beforehand. Give your proposed representative clear settlement instructions and distinguish their role from someone attending for support.
Is the agreement binding before I sign?
The verbal agreement at the mediation appointment is legally binding. You will receive a written settlement record. Clarify every obligation before agreeing, then check the document against what was agreed.