What Does a Mediator Cost, and Who Pays?

Note: This article describes typical Danish mediation pricing.

The price of a mediation varies considerably, depending on whether it's a private case or a business case — and how long it actually takes to reach an agreement.

Who pays for the mediator?

The starting point is that the parties split the mediator's fee evenly between them — each party pays half. This can, however, be agreed differently if the parties prefer, for example if one party has a clearly stronger interest in resolving the conflict quickly.

What does it typically cost?

• Business cases: A full day (up to 8 hours) is typically set aside for the mediation. Some mediators and institutes operate with a fixed price for a half-day mediation, others are paid an individual hourly rate.
• Private cases: Here half a day (up to 4 hours) is often set aside, and the price can be around DKK 15,000–20,000 including VAT depending on the provider.
• Prepayment: Most mediators ask for a deposit before the mediation begins, as security for the fee.

What affects the price?

• The case's complexity: The more matters and stakeholders involved, the longer the process typically takes.
• The mediator's experience and specialization: A mediator with specific experience in business deals may have a different pricing structure than a generalist.
• Number of meetings: Most cases are resolved in one meeting, but complex conflicts may require several sessions.

Is it worth the money?

Compared to the costs of litigation or a drawn-out arbitration case, mediation is typically far cheaper — and significantly faster. For a business deal, where a stalled negotiation otherwise risks costing the entire deal, the mediator's fee is often a small expense relative to what's actually at stake.

Considering mediation in an ongoing negotiation? Under our Advisory & Mediation package, mediation is an integrated part of the process — book a free, no-obligation call, and we'll figure out whether it's relevant for you.