PRS Announce Partnership with Small Claims Mediation

11 June 2015 6094 Views

The Property Redress Scheme (PRS) is delighted to announce their partnership with the award winning mediation provider, Small Claims Mediation (SCM)

The PRS is one of three consumer redress schemes authorised by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and National Trading Standards whose role it is to provide fair and reasonable resolutions to disputes between members of the public and Property Agents.

Small Claims Mediation has a large panel of highly experienced and accredited mediators spread across the country. As well as an unrivalled track record in resolving small claim disputes, SCM have a wealth of experience in resolving disputes between Landlords/Tenants and Agents and many of their mediators are Chartered Surveyors.

SCM are authorised by the government under the Alternative Dispute Service for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015.

The PRS will now be working with SCM on cases which they feel are more suitable for mediation rather than an adjudication process. The advantage of mediation is that it puts the parties in control of the outcome – it does not focus solely on evidence but takes into account the feelings, wishes and interests of those locked within a dispute.  

This is particularly beneficial when the parties have an on-going relationship and want to settle the complaint quickly and without the need to submit large amounts of documentation.

The SCM team won the highly coveted Innovation Award last year at the National Mediation Awards. They resolve their disputes online or over the telephone to enable all parties to access their services no matter where they are located.

The PRS is the only redress scheme in for the property sector that offers mediation as an alternative to traditional evidence based adjudication. Sean Hooker, Head of Redress, said

“We wish to lead from the front in terms of improving communication and resolution of disputes between our Members and their Consumers. We think it is important that our complaints handling procedure caters to the huge variety of different Complaints we receive – a process that helps settle one dispute may not necessarily work for another!”

Jo Holland, Chief Exec of Small Claims Mediation, said “Working with such a forward thinking team is fantastic and this union creates a scheme that is unique within this sector. We can't wait!”

About the Property Redress Scheme

The Property Redress Scheme is a new, straightforward and easy to use consumer redress (ombudsman) scheme for Property Agents and Professionals.

The main purposes of the Property Redress Scheme are to allow Agents to comply with their legal requirement to be a member of a government authorised consumer redress scheme and to settle or resolve complaints made by consumers against our Members.

We are authorised by the Department for Communities and Local Government to offer redress to Lettings and Property Management Agents and the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (formally the OFT) to offer redress to Estate Agents.

Although only in operation since July 2014 the Property Redress Scheme now has over 3,500 registered offices.

Press contact: Hannah Moody, phone: 0333 321 9418, email: Hannah.moody@theprs.co.uk

About Small Claims Mediation

Small Claims Mediation has a large panel of highly experienced and accredited mediators spread across the country. Each mediator is individually accredited by the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) and is insured.

We are a CMC accredited mediation provider and are listed on the Ministry of Justice mediation directory. All of our mediators are selected by director and lead mediator Jo Holland.

Jo Holland completed her CEDR training in 2007. She has enjoyed a successful career in the Civil Service working for HM Customs and Excise, Tribunals Service and HM Court Tribunal Service (HMCTS).

Jo has mediated on a staggering 800 mediations with 100% customer satisfaction and over 90% settlement rate. Outside of HMCTS, Jo is the most experienced small claims mediator in the country.

Contact: Jo Holland, phone: 0116 2848 100, email: joholland@small-claims-mediation.co.uk