Compulsory mediation? Rethinking the court system.
Compulsory mediation is being discussed as a way of keeping more disputes out of court. This includes, but is not limited too, family disputes and family mediation.
The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, suggested that the legal profession should stop referring to mediation as ‘alternative’ to court at all. Instead mediation should be ‘part and parcel’ of resolving all disputes.
This would mean mediation between businesses and consumers, as well as between families. It could also include those between the citizen and the state.
In the past, recommendations have increased focus on promoting awareness, availability and encouragement of mediation.
You can read more on this important issue on rethinking the approach to dispute resolution in this Law Gazette article.