Using the courts to settle disputes is a very expensive business and excludes the vast majority of consumers and SMEs.  But there are cheaper alternatives including Mediation which brings together the warring parties with the aid of specialist mediators. 

Why don't more of us use it?  It comes as the legal profession faces questions of speed in delivering justice from the Tanaiste and amid a strike by barristers over fees. Joining Joe this morning was Ronan Hannigan is a partner with the law firm Clark Hill.