A pilot scheme aimed at speeding up the number of cases being heard at Exeter's Small Claims Court has been hailed a success.

Launched in July 2002 the scheme is staffed and organised by volunteer solicitors from the Devon & Exeter Law Society (DELS).

The pilot initiative has the backing of Exeter County Court and the approval of the District Judges.

In the first 10 mediation sessions, it is estimated that about 100 hours of judicial time has been saved.

Strict limitation

"The format is very simple," said Jeremy Ferguson, president of DELS.

"District Judges send out notices to litigants whose cases they feel would be suitable for mediation.

"The two parties in the case are asked to turn up for a timed appointment, bringing with them all the relevant documents."

Mr Ferguson, himself one of the mediators, said the secret of the scheme's success may be down to the strict time limitation placed on the mediation sessions, each of which last 20 minutes.

Solicitors and barristers, 15 of whom attended training in time-limited mediation, mediate the sessions.

They attend the Exeter County Court two mornings a month.

His Honour Judge Overend, the Designated Civil Judge for Devon and Cornwall, said: "We have been impressed by the success of the pilot Exeter Small Claims scheme and we are pleased that similar schemes are now to be implemented in other parts of Devon and Cornwall."