Court-Linked Mediation for Gauteng Civil Trials
Hugh Raichlin assists parties and their attorneys with court-linked mediation in Gauteng civil trial matters. He is accredited as a mediator in terms of Rule 86(2) of the Court-Annexed Mediation Rules and is approved for appointment in Rule 41A Court-Annexed matters. A proposed appointment is considered in the context of the proceedings, conflicts and the neutral role required.
The initial telephone discussion is free and helps us understand whether the firm can assist. A paid consultation is arranged where appropriate. We aim to respond within one working day after receiving your enquiry.
Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator
Rule 86(2) accredited mediator; approved for appointment in Rule 41A Court-Annexed matters. Internationally accredited through the Society of Mediators (UK), with experience across commercial, property and family disputes.
This page is for you if…
- Your attorney has raised mediation as part of a Gauteng civil trial.
- You need a neutral mediator for an identified dispute.
- A trial-date or case-management process requires attention to mediation.
- You need clarity about the difference between Rule 41A and the Gauteng civil-trial directive.
How Hugh Raichlin Attorneys can help
Court-linked mediation here concerns civil trials in the Gauteng Division of the High Court. It is not a universal requirement to mediate before litigation, and it does not apply to CCMA, Labour Court or other disputes. Confirm the applicable court and current directions before treating any step as required.
- The case number and the court the matter is in.
- Pleadings or an agreed summary of the issues.
- Any trial or case-management directions, and their dates.
- Relevant notices, including any mediation direction.
- The proposed participants and who has authority to settle.
- Documents needed to understand the dispute.
Confirm the applicable requirement
We first identify the court, case type, existing dates and relevant direction. The Gauteng directive dated 22 April 2025 concerns civil trials; it must not be presented as a rule requiring every legal dispute to be mediated before litigation.
Prepare a suitable appointment
A clear brief helps establish the issues, participants, authority to settle, relevant documents, safety considerations and agreed mediation terms. Conflicts must be checked before a neutral appointment is accepted.
Facilitate and record the process appropriately
Hugh facilitates the parties' discussion within the agreed role. Any mediator reporting, settlement recording or further procedural steps must follow the applicable arrangements.
What to consider before deciding
Check the current directive and transitional position
The April 2025 directive contains transitional arrangements. Court directions can change, and a general webpage does not determine what is required for a particular existing or new trial date. Provide the actual notices and case-management directions for review.
Keep the different processes separate
Rule 41A, Gauteng civil-trial arrangements, private mediation and CCMA conciliation are not interchangeable. A mediation enquiry to HRA does not file a court document or complete a procedural requirement.
Preserve independent advice
Parties should understand the implications of proposed terms and the remaining disputed issues. A neutral mediator cannot promise a result or act as both sides' legal adviser.
The court-linked mediation process
- 1
Check scope and directions
Identify the court, case type and the applicable directive or case-management direction.
- 2
Agree the appointment
Confirm the mediator's role, participants, authority to settle and conflicts.
- 3
Prepare
Assemble the issues, documents and information needed for a useful discussion.
- 4
Mediate
Hugh facilitates the parties' discussion within the agreed neutral role.
- 5
Report and record next steps
Address any required reporting, settlement recording or further procedural step.
Attendance is not agreement. A procedural obligation to participate does not require accepting settlement terms.
The next steps
- 1Identify the court, matter and relevant directions.
- 2Check suitability, conflicts and appointment arrangements.
- 3Prepare and conduct the mediation.
- 4Address the required report and any agreement or next procedural step.
Information to prepare
Case number and court; pleadings or agreed issue summary; trial/case-management directions; relevant notices; proposed participants; documents needed to understand the dispute; settlement authority.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not assume the directive applies to every employment dispute, confuse mediation with adjudication, overlook a trial deadline or present attendance as agreement to any proposed settlement.
Relevant experience for your matter
Hugh holds a Court-Annexed Mediation Certificate of Competence and international mediation accreditation. His firm was established in 1993 and combines dispute-resolution experience with a full-service legal practice.
Hugh Raichlin
Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator
BA, LLB · University of the Witwatersrand
Rule 86(2) accredited mediator; approved for appointment in Rule 41A Court-Annexed matters. Internationally accredited through the Society of Mediators (UK), with experience across commercial, property and family disputes.
View Hugh's profileFrequently asked questions
Does every dispute in Gauteng require mediation before litigation?
No. Scope matters. The April 2025 Gauteng directive concerns civil trials, and other rules or specific court directions may apply in different circumstances.
Does mandatory mediation mean we must settle?
No. A procedural obligation to participate is different from being required to accept settlement terms.
Can I enquire directly or through my attorney?
Either route can start the suitability and appointment discussion. The parties, roles and conflicts still need to be assessed.
Will a website enquiry satisfy the court requirements?
No. The appointment, process, reporting and filings require appropriate formal steps.
Related services
Useful sources
- Gauteng Division mediation directive dated 22 April 2025The 22 April 2025 Gauteng Division directive on mediation in civil trials, including the court arrangements discussed on this page.
- Uniform Rules of Court - Rule 43 and Rule 41AHigh Court rules on mediation under Rule 41A, which can be read together with the separate Gauteng civil-trial directive linked here.
Prepare for court-linked mediation with the right scope.
Tell us the court, the case type and the relevant directions. A brief enquiry is enough to begin the assessment.
What happens next?
Start with a brief telephone discussion so the firm can understand your matter and decide whether it may assist. That initial discussion is free. Where appropriate, a paid consultation is arranged, usually in person; remote arrangements may be considered.
You can begin through our AI-assisted WhatsApp enquiry service at any time. It gathers initial information and does not provide legal advice. Where the firm may be able to assist, an attorney ordinarily follows up within one working day after receipt. A message does not confirm an appointment, acceptance of a matter or action on a deadline.
Speak to Hugh Raichlin Attorneys
Visit us by arrangement at 1 The Avenue, Norwood, Johannesburg 2192. Call 011 483 1527 for new enquiries and existing matters, Monday–Friday, 08:30–17:00. For 24/7 AI-assisted enquiry intake, WhatsApp 011 010 8336. You can also email reception@raichlin.co.za.
Please send sensitive documents only when requested through an appropriate channel.