A father and son duo launched the UK’s first online dispute resolution service set to revolutionise the settlement of disputes.

Ajuve, the fast-track online alternative to court, is designed to enable small businesses and individuals to resolve contract disputes quickly and effectively, and will be enforceable in over 140 countries.

Co-founded by father and son duo, Alex and Quentin Bargate, Ajuve is a low-cost and entirely online system that takes users through every stage of a dispute, from making a complaint right through to resolution and award via an independent arbitrator.

Every year, some 1.75 million claims are filed with the civil courts in England and Wales, of which, approximately 270,000 are defended. Ajuve offers a straight-forward and convenient solution, allowing businesses to avoid costly and complex litigation.

Alongside the core arbitration service, which promises to deliver binding awards in no more than six weeks and charges a simple, up-front fee based on the amount in dispute, Ajuve also provides a simple settlement calculator along with a dispute resolution clause, available to download for free, which businesses can include in contracts should a dispute arise in the future. They also plan to add an online mediation module to the site in the coming months.

Ajuve is co-founded by Bargate Murray’s senior partner Quentin Bargate and the site’s arbitrators will initially be sourced from the firm’s expert legal team before other experienced lawyers are invited to join.

Other professionals, including lawyers, will also be invited to partner with Ajuve’s ‘Quick Look’ system, which allows users of the system to ask short questions of partnering professionals if they are unsure of the next best step.

Quentin Bargate said: “After thirty years of experience in the legal sector, I, like many other lawyers, have become increasingly frustrated with the time, cost and stress associated with dispute resolution.

“There is a clear need for a simple and affordable system of online dispute resolution; we don’t need to be prisoners of an imperfect past.”

This is definitely a game changer and would mean less time being consumed by small business owners trying to rectify contractual issues. It is no wonder most small business owners and freelancers don't go to court and would rather take the issue as a loss. It's perfect timing and has plans to make such a difference.