Scottish Mediation

What Scottish Mediation does

Scottish Mediation is a registered Scottish charity (SC034921) and Company Limited by Guarantee (SC258173) operating since 1990 as the umbrella body for mediation in Scotland. Headquartered in Edinburgh with 1–10 employees, it maintains the Scottish Mediation Register of quality-assured practitioners, runs a free national helpline (0131 556 8118), operates the searchable Find a Mediator directory across eight geographic regions, and delivers mediation services spanning family, community, workplace, business, education, housing, equalities, and planning disputes. Its core products include the Young Talk peer mediation programme in schools, the Third Sector Mediation Scheme (in partnership with SCVO for charities with turnover under £250k), the Scottish Mediation Charter advocacy initiative, mediator training and CPD courses, and an annual Mediate conference series.

Revenue derives from a hybrid mix: membership subscriptions, training and CPD programme fees, event and conference ticket sales, transaction-based fees on the Third Sector Mediation Scheme, and affiliate commissions through court-connected referrals (Scottish Sheriff Courts, the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission). Distribution is primarily community-led and event-driven — leveraging partnerships with universities (Strathclyde, Dundee), local authorities (North Lanarkshire, Inverclyde), Relationships Scotland for family mediation, and the Scottish Government for civil justice policy. The technology layer is modest: a website with mediator search, the Young Talk mobile app, and Zoom-based remote mediation delivery — there is no proprietary AI, API, or platform of meaningful scale.

The organisation is member-governed via a Board of Trustees (current Chair Tracey Chrystal, appointed October 2024; Director Graham Boyack) and operates without venture or private equity backing. Recent strategic activity (2024–2026) is concentrated on advocacy — notably the March 2026 'Our Nation that Mediates' election manifesto targeting the Scottish Parliament — alongside programme expansion in peer mediation training. Geographic footprint is domestic UK/Scotland, with a stated "Outwith Scotland" service capability but no material international operations.

Name

Scottish Mediation

Legal name

Scottish Mediation

Website

https://scottishmediation.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mediation Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Mediation, Conflict Resolution & Prosocial Playground Programs (Early Years) (EDACAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

Keywords

• Mediation services
• Dispute resolution
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Conflict resolution training
• Family mediation

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership providing access to networking opportunities, free and discounted events, exclusive member resources, and opportunities to contribute to the future of mediation in Scotland.
2. Training and CPD Programs: Continuous professional development courses for mediators including skills workshops, supervision training, and specialized mediation training (e.g., shuttle mediation, impasse in mediation).
3. Event and Conference Revenue: Annual conferences (Mediate series), training events, and seminars generate revenue through ticket sales and registration fees.
4. Third Sector Mediation Scheme: Fee-based mediation services for charities and voluntary organizations with turnover between £50,000 and £250,000. Free service for organizations below £50,000 turnover.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Scottish Mediation is the umbrella body for mediation in Scotland, providing mediation services across family, community, workplace, business, housing, education, equalities, and planning specializations. It operates the Scottish Mediation Register, a free national helpline, an online Find a Mediator directory, the Young Talk peer mediation programme for schools, the Third Sector Mediation Scheme with SCVO, and CPD/training programmes for mediators.

Product overview

Scottish Mediation is a registered charity (SC034921) and company limited by guarantee (SC258173) operating as the umbrella body for mediation in Scotland. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of mediation services including family, community, workplace, housing, education, and commercial mediation. Core offerings include the Find a Mediator directory service, the free Scottish Mediation Helpline (0131 556 8118), the Young Talk peer mediation programme for schools, the Third Sector Mediation Scheme for charities, the Scottish Mediation Charter, and professional training/CPD for mediators. The organization also publishes the monthly Collaborate newsletter and hosts events including the annual Mediate conference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Talk: A network for Peer Mediators in Scotland, established in 2015 to promote and support peer mediation as a preventative and restorative conflict resolution practice in schools and youth organisations.

Products and services

• Mediation Services Mediation services delivered across multiple specializations including business and commercial, community and neighbour, education, equalities, family, family separation and divorce, housing and property, planning and environment, and workplace and employment. For individuals, families, charities, schools, businesses, and public bodies needing to resolve disputes.
• Find a Mediator Directory Searchable online directory allowing users to find Scottish Mediation Register mediators by specialty (Business & Commercial, Family, Community, Education, Workplace, etc.) and geographic area (Grampian, Highland, Tayside, etc.) across Scotland. For individuals and organizations seeking accredited mediators.
• Young Talk Peer Mediation Programme Peer mediation training and resources for primary and secondary school pupils in Scotland, including teacher training, classroom materials, and ongoing programme support. For schools, teachers, and pupils seeking to implement peer-led conflict resolution.
• Scottish Mediation Helpline Free telephone helpline (0131 556 8118) providing information, guidance, and signposting to mediation services across Scotland. For members of the public, organizations, and professionals seeking mediation advice.
• Third Sector Mediation Scheme Mediation scheme for charities and voluntary organizations. Free service for organizations with annual turnover below £50,000 and fixed-price options for organizations with turnover between £50,000 and £250,000. Delivered in partnership with SCVO. For Scottish charities and voluntary sector bodies.
• Mediator Training and CPD Programme Professional development and training for mediators including foundation courses meeting Scottish Mediation Register standards, supervising skills workshops, and CPD sessions. For aspiring and practicing mediators seeking registration and ongoing professional development.
• Mediating Skills Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 63% of small claims mediations reached full agreement; 81% settlement fulfillment rate exceeded court fulfillment rates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Our Minds Matter, FifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Commissioned in October 2021 to deliver peer mediation training for teachers and students in Fife schools. Scottish Mediation provides training program delivery and support for peer mediation implementation.
• Scottish Alliance for People and PlacesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2017Alliance joining organizations including Royal Town Planning Institute, RICS, SFHA, Paths for All, COSLA, and others to promote mediation in planning through the Planning Bill.
• Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2015Partnership launched October 2015 to provide the Third Sector Mediation Project, offering free or low-cost mediation to small charities and voluntary organizations. SCVO supports the initiative and provides access to their network of third sector organizations.
• University of Dundee Early Dispute ResolutioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Campus-wide dispute resolution service established in 2008, training staff and students as mediators. Has completed over 200 workplace mediations since inception and serves as a model for organizational dispute resolution.
• Relationships ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily mediation services affiliated with Relationships Scotland across Scotland through local centres. Relationships Scotland is a registered charity providing family mediation services.
• University of Strathclyde Mediation CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro-bono mediation service for small claims court at Glasgow Sheriff Court and Lanark Sheriff Court. Students on post-graduate Mediation and Conflict Resolution courses gain practical experience supported by experienced mediators.
• Scottish Legal Aid BoardminorOthersProvides administrative support for court-connected mediation services.
• Scottish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership for policy development, civil justice reform, and promotion of mediation. Scottish Government responded positively to mediation integration proposals in 2019 and supports various mediation initiatives.
• Scottish Sheriff CourtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourt-connected mediation services at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Glasgow Sheriff Court, Airdrie Sheriff Court, and Lanark Sheriff Court for Simple Procedure and small claims cases.
• Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMediation scheme for complaints about lawyer services with established 75% resolution rate and statutory basis.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service): UK government-funded workplace dispute resolution service. Comparable as a workplace mediation/dispute resolution provider, but with statutory backing, much larger scale, and broader remit than Scottish Mediation's community focus.

Direct peers

• ADR Group: UK alternative dispute resolution provider offering mediation across multiple sectors. Comparable business model delivering cross-sector mediation services, with similar practitioner-network and accreditation structure.
• National Family Mediation: UK-wide charity delivering family mediation services. Similar charity-structured model with comparable family mediation offering and referral-driven customer acquisition.
• Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO): Strategic partner of Scottish Mediation for the Third Sector Mediation Project and Scotland's third sector umbrella body. Comparable mission-driven structure supporting charities and voluntary organizations across Scotland.
• Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR): UK-wide mediation and ADR professional body and services provider. Comparable as a mediation standards body and ADR services organization, though with broader UK/international scope rather than Scotland-only focus.
• Relationships Scotland: Scottish charity providing family mediation services across Scotland. Affiliated with Scottish Mediation for family mediation delivery, operating from the same geography with overlapping services in family and separation disputes.

Regional players

• Citizens Advice Scotland: Scotland-wide independent advice network providing community-level dispute guidance and referrals. Comparable as a Scotland-focused social service organization addressing citizen-level conflict resolution needs through referral pathways.

Others

• Family Mediation Council: UK regulatory body for family mediation, setting standards and accrediting practitioners. Comparable as a standards-setting organization for mediation, paralleling Scottish Mediation's role for the Scottish Mediation Register.
• LawWorks: UK charity supporting access to justice through pro bono legal services including mediation. Comparable mission-driven structure expanding access to dispute resolution for under-served populations.

Emerging players

• Resolution: UK membership organization of family lawyers committed to non-confrontational resolution including mediation. Comparable as a professional body promoting mediation adoption, though focused on lawyers rather than direct mediation delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/@ScotMediation
• Facebookfacebook.com/Scottish-Mediation-Network-522805757835668
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scottish-mediation-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scottish Mediation