[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]The recent publication by HMCTS of an evaluation report on an ‘opt out’ small claims mediation pilot scheme provides further insight into relevant issues in the ongoing reform debate on the increased use of mediation in the...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]ADR has been something of a hot topic in the last few years. This is an update of recent developments with an eye to what may be around the corner. The mystic portal still awaits The Master of the...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]A point arises just before a mediation when a representative is invited to prepare and exchange a Position Statement. What should it say? Often representatives will have developed a style over time which often boils down to the...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]There is a significant wind of change blowing in the way it is planned that civil law disputes will be dealt with in the future. This is likely to have a profound effect on they way in...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]Recent statistics indicate 67% of mediations settle on the day and a further 19% soon after. However, representatives and parties often experience difficulties in achieving settlement at some point during their mediation. The mediator’s key role is to...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type="row" type="full_width" text_align="left" css_animation=""][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]The recent case of Ohpen Operations UK Limited v Invesco Managers Limited provided further guidance on the (increasingly) common issue of the effect of a commercial contract imposing an obligation on parties to...