The UK's Ministry of Justice's website (as at 14th December 2014) sets out that "Courts should be the last resort for people involved in civil or family disputes unless there are issues around urgency and safety, eg in relation to child abuse or domestic violence."  

The Ministry of Justice, in describing mediation as a possible alternative to litigation, sets out that under mediation "
individuals concerned have greater control and responsibility in resolving disagreements than if they went to...
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