For life’s prickly moments, pick Thistle Mediation
Helping Scotland’s residents and businesses resolve disputes — fairly, affordably, and without court.
Mediation helps people reach practical solutions with a fixed, predictable fee – unlike litigation, which is expensive and uncertain.
Why Choose Mediation
Mediation is a structured, confidential process that helps people reach an agreement together. It’s not about blame or legal victory; it’s about finding a fair, practical outcome that works for everyone.
Save Time
Most disputes are resolved in a single session.
Save Money
Mediation costs far less than legal fees or court action.
Save Stress
Confidential and focused on solutions, not conflict.
Stay in Control
You decide the outcome, not a lawyer or judge.
What We Help With
Pathways to a brighter tomorrow
Mediation is an empowering process – we guide you through it with care and understanding.
We Help With
Business Disputes & Intellectual Property Issues
When business relationships strain, mediation restores perspective and protects reputations.
Our mediation areas include:
- Contractual disagreements (B2B or with suppliers/clients)
- Partnership or shareholder conflicts
- Freelancer, consultant, or contractor disputes
- Small business or start-up disagreements
- Confidentiality or intellectual property issues
We Help With
Housing & Landlord-Tenant Disagreements
Our housing-focused solutions are here to help you move away from the problems you are currently facing at home.
Our mediation areas include:
- Deposit and rent disputes
- Repairs and maintenance issues
- Early termination or tenancy disagreements
- Shared tenancy or flatmate conflicts
- Problems within student accommodation for those at university
- Noise complaints between residents in Edinburgh tenements
We Help With
Community & Third Sector Conflicts
Sometimes, the mission of charities and third sector organisations is undermined by conflict. Mediation is the way to move forward and focus on achieving your organisational goals.
Our mediation areas include:
- Charity board disagreements
- Local group or association issues
- Volunteer or committee conflicts
- Social enterprise or co-operative disputes
We Help With
Construction & Property Challenges
When bricks, boundaries, and budgets collide, mediation saves time and money.
Our mediation areas include:
- Disputes between homeowners and builders/developers
- Project delays or workmanship issues
- Boundary or party wall disagreements
- Payment disputes, variations, or cost overruns
- Defects, snagging, and warranty concerns
We Help With
Contested Wills & Probate
Mediation helps people resolve disputed Wills with understanding and empathy during emotionally challenging times.
We help with:
- Providing an emotionally safe space to mediate with care
- Preserving family relationships
- Creating flexible, tailored solutions
- Encouraging closure and understanding
How Mediation Works
What Are The Steps To Mediation?
Discover the simple, structured steps that guide every mediation, helping both sides move from conflict toward a lasting and fair agreement.
Before Mediation
- We issue a Mediation Agreement for all participants to sign.
- A date and venue (in person or via Zoom) are confirmed.
- Each participant sends a short document bundle outlining the dispute, which we study before the mediation.
During Mediation
- The mediator meets with all parties together and separately.
- Everyone has space to be heard.
- We explore solutions that meet both sides’ needs.
After Mediation
- Once agreement is reached, a Mediation Settlement is drafted and signed.
- This document is legally binding and closes the dispute. That’s it! Done deal – no court, no delays, no extra costs.
About Me
Meet Your Mediator
Doug Richards is an Accredited/Registered Civil and Commercial Mediator based in Edinburgh, offering calm, practical support to help people resolve disputes efficiently and respectfully. Doug is available for face-to-face and remote mediations in Edinburgh and across Scotland. He also provides virtual mediation services for those living across the UK and Europe.
With extensive experience in facilitating fair and balanced mediations, Doug brings a steady, reassuring approach that helps participants move beyond conflict toward clear, workable solutions. His focus is on understanding each side, maintaining neutrality, and guiding participants to reach agreements that feel right for everyone involved.
How Mediation Works
FAQs
Need to speak with someone?
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Ready to start the conversation?
Contact Us
Whether you’re facing a dispute or just exploring your options, get in touch today and take the first step toward resolution.
All enquiries are confidential. We’ll never share your details.
We usually reply within one working day.
hello@thistlemediation.com
Office
Based in Edinburgh — serving clients across Scotland.
Phone
07545 376 457
