Property Mediation Services
Conveyancing Chain Friction Mediation
Getting stalled property transactions back on the rails — resolving deposit disputes, completion delays, and chain breaks before they collapse entirely.
Disputes We Mediate
Conveyancing transactions are fragile. A chain of linked purchases can collapse because of a single dispute between two parties. Deposits are forfeited, completion dates slip, bridging finance costs mount, and the stress on everyone in the chain becomes unbearable.
These disputes need urgent resolution. Unlike other property conflicts that can simmer for months, a conveyancing dispute has a ticking clock — the transaction will either complete or collapse, and the financial consequences of collapse can be severe.
Harvey Harding mediates conveyancing disputes with the urgency they demand. He understands the mechanics of exchange and completion, the Standard Conditions of Sale, and the practical pressures that drive conveyancing transactions. He knows what notices to complete mean, how deposit forfeitures work, and why a delayed search can kill a deal.
Common Scenarios
The Forfeited Deposit
A buyer fails to complete on the agreed date. The seller serves a notice to complete and, when the buyer still cannot complete, rescinds the contract and forfeits the deposit. The buyer claims the forfeiture is unjust — perhaps they had a good reason for the delay, or the seller contributed to the problem. Mediation negotiates a fair outcome before either party incurs the cost of court proceedings.
The Chain Break Crisis
One party in a chain pulls out, leaving everyone above and below them in limbo. The parties who have already exchanged face potential liability. Those who have not exchanged face the collapse of their own purchases. Mediation brings the relevant parties together to find a commercial solution that salvages what can be salvaged.
The Post-Completion Dispute
After completion, the buyer discovers defects or issues that were not disclosed in the property information form. The seller says they did not know. The buyer wants compensation or wants to rescind the contract. Mediation resolves the dispute quickly and pragmatically, avoiding the cost and delay of a misrepresentation claim in court.
The Delayed Completion
Completion is delayed due to a dispute between solicitors over outstanding requisitions, a title defect, or missing documentation. The buyer is living in temporary accommodation, the seller has already moved out, and both parties are incurring daily costs. Mediation breaks the impasse and gets the transaction over the line.
Why Mediation for Conveyancing Disputes
Conveyancing disputes are uniquely time-sensitive. Every day of delay costs money and increases stress. Court proceedings that take 12 to 18 months are simply not compatible with the urgency of a stalled property transaction.
Mediation provides a resolution in days or weeks rather than months or years. It also offers flexibility that the court cannot. A mediated settlement might include a price adjustment, a delayed completion with agreed terms, or a phased payment of compensation — solutions that address the commercial reality rather than simply applying legal principles.
For solicitors managing chains and transactions, mediation is also a way to demonstrate proactive problem-solving to your clients. Rather than advising months of costly litigation, you can offer a faster, cheaper path to resolution.
Transaction Stalled by a Dispute?
Get in touch for a confidential, no-obligation discussion. We understand the urgency of conveyancing disputes and can arrange mediation quickly.
Book a Mediation