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<h1>23 Alternatives to court</h1>
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<p><a href="https://gurkhajustice.org.uk//media/836/96/leaflet23e.pdf" target="_blank"></a> Download <a href="https://gurkhajustice.org.uk//media/836/96/leaflet23e.pdf" target="_blank">Alternatives to court (PDF File, 346kb)</a></p>
<p><a href="/">1. Introduction</a></p>
<p><a href="/">2. What alternatives are there to court?</a></p>
<p><a href="/">3. Do I need a lawyer to use alternative dispute resolution?</a></p>
<p><a href="/">4. How do I decide whether to use an alternative dispute resolution scheme?</a></p>
<p><a href="/">5. How do alternative dispute resolution schemes work?</a></p>
<p><a href="/">6. Mediation and conciliation</a></p>
<p><a href="/">7. Adjudication and arbitration</a></p>
<p><a href="/">8. Grievance and complaints procedure</a></p>
<p><a href="/">9. Litigation</a></p>
<p><a href="/">10. Negotiation</a></p>
<p><a href="/">11. Ombudsmen</a></p>
<p><a href="/">12. How much does alternative dispute resolution cost?</a></p>
<p><strong>13. Dispute resolution services</strong></p>
<p><strong>Mediation for relationship and family problems</strong></p>
<p>The Family Mediation Helpline<br/> For details of family mediation providers in your area<br/> phone: 0845 60 26 627<br/> <a href="http://www.familymediationhelpline.co.uk/">http://www.familymediationhelpline.co.uk/</a></p>
<p><strong>Mediation for problems with neighbours</strong></p>
<p>You can find your nearest community mediation service through an internet search, or by asking your local council for a list of local mediation providers.</p>
<p><strong>Mediation for problems at work</strong></p>
<p>Acas<br/> Provides conciliation, arbitration and mediation in employment disputes<br/> phone: 08457 47 47 47<br/> <a href="http://www.acas.org.uk/">http://www.acas.org.uk/</a></p>
<p><strong>Mediation for problems with discrimination if you are disabled</strong></p>
<p>Phone the Equality and Human Rights Commission for information and a referral.<br/>In England: 08457 622 633<br/>In Wales: 0845 604 8810<br/> <br/> <strong>Mediation for other problems</strong></p>
<p>AIMS (the Advice,Information and Mediation Service) is run by Age Concern and offers advice and mediation for problems with sheltered and retirement housing.<br/> phone: 0845 600 2001<br/> <a href="http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/aims.asp" target="_blank">www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/aims.asp</a></p>
<p>Mediation in disputes about special educational needs provision, or school exclusions, is often provided by independent local family or community mediation services. Your school or local education authority should be able to give you details.</p>
<p><strong>The National Mediation Helpline</strong></p>
<p>The National Mediation Helpline can answer general enquiries relating to mediation and put you in contact with accredited mediation providers.<br/> phone: 0845 60 30 809<br/> <a href="http://www.nationalmediationhelpline.com/">www.nationalmediationhelpline.com/</a></p>
<p><strong>Adjudication and arbitration providers</strong></p>
<p>The Independent Dispute Resolution Service (IDRS) provides adjudication and arbitration schemes for a range of trade associations.<br/> phone: 020 7520 3800<br/><a href="http://www.idrs.ltd.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.idrs.ltd.uk</a></p>
<p><strong>Adjudication for problems with tenancy deposits</strong></p>
<p>There are three government-authorised schemes providing adjudication for tenancy deposit disputes. Landlords and letting agents must be a member of one of these schemes.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.depositprotection.com/" target="_blank">The Deposit Protection Service</a><br/></strong>phone: 0870 7071 707</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.mydeposits.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tenancy Deposit Solutions</a><br/></strong>phone: 0871 703 0552</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Dispute Service</a><br/></strong>phone: 0845 226 7837</p>
<p><strong>Ombudsmen</strong></p>
<p>British and Irish Ombudsman Association<br/> For information about public and private sector ombudsman schemes in the UK and Ireland, with contact details.<br/> phone: 020 8894 9272<br/> <a href="http://www.bioa.org.uk/">http://www.bioa.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>Estate Agents Ombudsman<br/> For complaints about estate agents who are members of the scheme.<br/> phone: 01722 333 306<br/> <a href="http://www.oea.co.uk/">http://www.oea.co.uk/</a></p>
<p>The Financial Ombudsman Service<br/> For complaints about financial services, including banks, building societies, investments and insurance<br/> phone: 0845 080 1800<br/> <a href="http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/">http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>Health Service Ombudsman<br/> For complaints about services provided through the NHS in England.<br/> phone: 0845 015 4033<br/> <a href="http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/">http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>Housing Ombudsman Service<br/> For complaints about housing provided by all registered social landlords, and some private landlords.<br/> phone: 0845 7125 973<br/> <a href="http://www.ihos.org.uk/">http://www.ihos.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>The Independent Case Examiner<br/> For complaints about the Child Support Agency.<br/> phone: 0845 606 0777<br/> Typetalk: 18002 0151 801 8800<br/> <a href="http://www.ind-case-exam.org.uk/">http://www.ind-case-exam.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>Legal Services Ombudsman<br/> For complaints about the way the Law Society, Bar Council and other professional bodies deal with complaints about legal practitioners.<br/> phone: 0845 601 0794<br/> <a href="http://www.olso.org/">http://www.olso.org/</a></p>
<p><strong>The Information Commissioner's Office</strong><br/>For complaints about data protection and freedom of information.<br/>phone: 0845 630 60 60<br/><a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.ico.gov.uk</a></p>
<p>Local Government Ombudsman (England)<br/> For complaints about services provided by local authorities in England.<br/> phone: 0845 602 1983<br/> <a href="http://www.lgo.org.uk/">http://www.lgo.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>Parliamentary Ombudsman<br/> For complaints about services provided by government departments in England.<br/> phone: 0845 015 4033<br/> <a href="http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/">http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>Pensions Ombudsman<br/> For complaints about the way pensions schemes are run.<br/> phone: 020 7834 9144<br/> <a href="http://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/">http://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>Public Service Ombudsman for Wales<br/> For complaints about local authorities, registered social landlords, the national health services and the National Assembly for Wales and the bodies it funds.<br/> phone: 01656 641 150<br/> <a href="http://www.ombudsman-wales.org/">http://www.ombudsman-wales.org/</a></p>
<p><strong>Complaints about utilities providers</strong><br/> <br/> Energywatch<br/> phone: 0845 906 0708<br/> <a href="http://www.energywatch.org.uk/">http://www.energywatch.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>The Consumer Council for Water<br/> phone: 0845 039 2837<br/> <a href="http://www.ccwater.org.uk/">http://www.ccwater.org.uk/</a></p>
<p>Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS)<br/> phone: 020 7520 3827<br/> <a href="http://www.cisas.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.cisas.org.uk</a></p>
<p>Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman (Otelo)<br/> phone: 0845 050 1614<br/> <u><a href="http://www.otelo.org.uk/">www.otelo.org.uk/</a></u></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="/">14. Further help</a></p>
<p><a href="/">15. About this leaflet</a></p>
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<p><br/>This leaflet is published by the Gurkha Free Legal Advice (LSC). It was written in association with the Advice Services Alliance.</p>
<p>Leaflet Version: November 2007</p>
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