A practical first step before litigation
Resolve your dispute online — starting for free
Understand the disagreement, exchange settlement proposals and work towards a legally binding resolution without immediately incurring legal or mediation fees.
No registration fee. No upfront commitment. Pay only when additional assistance is needed. For individuals, businesses, attorneys, landlords, tenants, employers and employees.
DISPUTE CALCULATOR
Start with clarity, not costly proceedings.
Why start here
A better first step when a dispute arises
Disputes often become unnecessarily expensive because the parties move directly into formal legal proceedings before clearly identifying what they agree on, what they disagree on and whether a practical settlement is possible.
The Middle Ground Dispute Calculator gives both parties a structured, secure process through which they can:
- Explain each version of events
- Upload supporting documents
- Identify claims and counterclaims
- Clarify the outcome each party wants
- Understand the real issues in dispute
- Exchange settlement proposals online
The initial process is completely free.
The process
How it works
A structured route from first submission to settlement, with professional mediation available only when it becomes necessary.
Submit your dispute for free
Create an account, explain the dispute, upload relevant documents and state the outcome being sought.
FREE
Hear both sides
The respondent registers free and submits their version, documents, response and any counterclaim.
FREE
Understand the dispute
The Dispute Calculator organises both submissions into a structured summary of the real issues.
FREE
Exchange settlement proposals
The first response is free. An R500 once-off engagement fee applies only when further counter-proposals are required.
FIRST RESPONSE FREE
Formalise the settlement
Prepare a settlement agreement for review and digital signature: R1,000 per party or R1,500 paid by the claimant.
FROM R1,500 TOTAL
Request mediation when necessary
If online negotiation does not resolve the matter, an accredited mediator can be appointed.
TYPICALLY R500–R3,000+
Transparent from the start
What does it cost to get started?
Nothing.
You can register, submit your dispute, invite the other party, upload documents, receive a structured dispute summary and consider the first settlement response without paying anything.
You only pay when:
- Further counter-proposals are required
- A settlement agreement must be drafted
- The parties choose to proceed to mediation
No hidden registration fee and no upfront commitment to mediation.
Suitable matters
Resolve disputes before they become legal battles
The platform can assist with everyday disputes where the parties are willing to explain their positions and explore settlement.
Business and commercial matters
Contract disputes, unpaid accounts, service disagreements, supplier disputes, partnership disagreements and customer complaints.
Property matters
Landlord and tenant disputes, deposits, rental payments, property damage, homeowners’ association matters and neighbour disputes.
Workplace matters
Employer and employee disagreements, grievances, communication breakdowns and other workplace conflicts.
Family and personal matters
Family arrangements, financial disagreements, property-related disputes and other personal conflicts suitable for negotiated resolution.
Civil and legal disputes
Small claims, payment disputes, contractual claims and other civil matters where the parties are willing to explore settlement.
Why Middle Ground
Clarity, control and a practical next step
Use technology to understand and narrow the dispute, while keeping professional mediation available when it adds value.
Start without financial risk
You do not need to pay simply to find out whether the dispute can be resolved.
Understand both sides clearly
The platform organises each party’s information into a structured summary of the actual dispute.
Negotiate at your own pace
Exchange proposals online without coordinating meetings, phone calls or lengthy email chains.
Keep control of the outcome
The parties decide whether to accept a proposal. A solution is not imposed on them.
Escalate only when necessary
Professional mediation is available when the parties cannot resolve the matter through online negotiation.
Formalise the result
When agreement is reached, the terms can be converted into a legally binding settlement agreement.
Your next step
Before you litigate, calculate.
Start by understanding the dispute and exploring whether a practical settlement is possible.
Registration, submissions, dispute analysis and the first settlement response are free.