[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.