[rahimnathwani]

> Hard to believe that it actually reached the Small Claims Court

It's easy to file a small claim in the UK. More info on the process for England & Wales here: https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

> let alone succeeded!

The article is light on details, but it sounds like the parties settled before any hearing or ruling.

[b112]

In Ontario, Canada, part of the small claims process is a pre-trial conference, with a retired judge moderating. Further, nothing disclosed may be used as part of the trial.

Its goal is to help with an amicable settlement.

More info: In small claims, lawyers are not forbidden, but they may only speak for their client, and their client must be there, or present remorely, listening and ready to accept offers or deals.

And if lawyers use legalese, the residing judge must explain to you what is being said, and will look unfavorably at the lawyer for not speaking plainly, and wasting everyone's time.

Technically lawyers are not allowed as lawyers, but accommodations must be made for a company 1000s of km or more away. Someone must speak for them.

[rahimnathwani]

Did you intend to reply to a different comment?

[b112]

No! My comments re: Ontario pre-court conference, were meant to highlight a reaspn why this might have been settled before small claims coirt.

I suspect a similar thing happens in the UK, and that forced conference ensures companies must hear reasoning, arguments in full before the case.

In Ontario, it's very informal. You just talk. The retired judge only intercedes if it becomes heated, or runs long.

It helps solve things.

[rahimnathwani]

Mediation is offered in the UK, in the hope that it reduces the number of cases that proceed to a hearing. I don't know whether it was used in this case.