Questions about the Dispute Calculator

Yes. Registration, initial submissions, document uploads, the respondent’s first response and the structured dispute summary are free.

The R500 once-off engagement fee applies only when one of the parties wishes to make an additional counter-proposal after the respondent’s first response.

No. It is a once-off fee. After it has been paid, the parties may continue exchanging proposals without further negotiation charges.

No. Many disputes may be resolved through the online negotiation process. Mediation is available when the parties cannot reach agreement themselves.

A formal settlement agreement can be prepared for review and digital signature by both parties.

It costs R1,000 per party, or the claimant may pay R1,500 on behalf of both parties.

Once both parties have agreed to the terms and signed the properly prepared settlement agreement, it records a legally binding settlement between them.

Yes. Attorneys can use the platform to organise disputes, exchange settlement proposals and prepare matters for formal mediation where necessary.

The process is voluntary. The platform can invite the other party, but it cannot force them to participate or settle. The claimant may then consider obtaining legal advice or pursuing another appropriate remedy.

No. Matters involving immediate danger, domestic violence, criminal conduct, urgent court relief or significant power imbalances may require direct legal assistance or intervention by the appropriate authorities.

It costs nothing to participate initially. They can tell their side, receive a structured summary and may avoid significant legal costs. Participation does not take away their legal rights if settlement is not reached.

Yes. AI analyses the information uploaded by the parties and identifies the main issues, areas of agreement and disagreement, and produces a structured summary. It does not determine who is right or wrong and makes no legal findings. OCR extracts text from uploaded documents.

Yes. Clearly typed documents generally produce very good results, while poor-quality scans or difficult handwriting may require manual review. The quality of the analysis depends on the quality of the information provided. The platform assists with identifying and organising issues; it does not replace legal advice or judicial decision-making.

Only share the most relevant documents and only what you feel comfortable sharing during the initial stage. When negotiations begin, you can consider whether more sensitive documents are necessary to support your position.

Confidentiality is fundamental to the platform. Information is only accessible to the parties in the dispute and, if the matter proceeds to mediation, the appointed mediator. The platform complies with data protection requirements to protect user information.

The platform does not interrupt prescription, replace court proceedings or constitute formal legal proceedings. It is a dispute-management and settlement tool. Even without settlement, it can add value by identifying the issues, organising relevant documents and creating a structured record of the negotiation process.

Participation remains voluntary. There is no cost to register, respond, upload documents or receive the free dispute analysis. The invited party can understand the claim, present their own version and explore whether the matter can be resolved more quickly and cost-effectively. An invitation is not an admission of liability or weakness.