It's next to impossible to go through life avoiding a serious dispute at some point. In the world of business, often it's business A not paying company B, or firm A not satisfying a service for firm B. In the situation where 2 parties have a dispute, legal action can follow. Court action oftentimes compounds troubles as costs climb. Furthermore, because the 2 hostile businesses cannot find a balance in agreement - courts look for innocence or guilt - ill will can be further intensified via court proceedings and certainly be there after a verdict is made. This can result in even more judicial proceedings through a legal appeal made by the guilty party. Often in such cases, both parties end up feeling exhausted, strained and unhappy.
This is why mediation is a sensible option to legal proceedings. Mediation - or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - seeks to connect the 2 companies unitedly in dialogue, not confrontation which legal proceedings inevitably creates. These kinds of talks can aid in diffusing bad feeling as the 2 firms get the chance to talk together in a more amiable setting than a court of law.
If your business is seeking out mediation services, use Google and enter keywords such as "mediation services uk" - including your town where you are - and can find an extensive selection of mediation services close to you.