UK Ministry of Justice issues call for evidence on Dispute Resolution

On the 25th anniversary of Lord Woolf’s landmark Access to Justice Report, the UK Ministry of Justice has issued a consultation on how dispute resolution processes can be more fully integrated within the justice system. Specifically, the call for evidence is seeking views from the judiciary, legal profession, mediators and other dispute resolvers, academics, the advice sector, court users, and anyone who has experience of dispute resolution both within and outside the court system. 

CIArb are keen to represent the views of our members.

The consultation follows the recent Civil Justice Council report on compulsory mediation, which found that mandatory mediation would be compatible with UK law and would also be desirable in suitable areas of the justice system. CIArb welcomed the report as a significant step towards using mediation and ADR to their full potential in providing access to justice, alleviating pressures on the court system, and underpinning economic growth. We made clear our willingness to work with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice on how the principles put forward by the report can be applied in practice, and we will be submitting a comprehensive response to this consultation as part of that commitment. 

If you would like to convey your own views to be taken into account in the formation of our response, please contact Lewis Johnston, ljohnston@ciarb.org, no later than Friday 24th September.