Mediation triumph in computer case

One of the largest and most complex cases ever to go to mediation has just settled, saving the parties millions of pounds in costs.

British & Commonwealth Holdings Plc had originally claimed more than £850 million, including interest, following the collapse of its subsidiary Atlantic Computers. British & Commonwealth went into Administration in 1990 shortly after acquiring Atlantic.

The mediation, which was held in London, lasted just three days. The High Court trial had been scheduled to last at least a year. Lawyers acting on behalf of one of the parties were quoted as saying that 'the settlement has saved 18 months of run-in costs, together with the costs of the trial and any appeal,... you're looking at [savings of] tens of millions of pounds of costs.'