Law Weblog

ADR – CEDR announce rise in Mediation

Mediations increased by more than a third in the last year, according to new figures published by the largest provider, CEDR Solve, the dispute resolution service for the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution.
Dunnett v Railtrack 2002 is one factor in the growth of popularity of mediation (Railtrack was not awarded costs because it had refused the horse owner’s offer to mediate), another factor is the advice given by Mr Justice Colman in Cable & Wireless v IBM (2002), who said it had become common for judges to make alternative dispute resolution orders.
In 1998 there were only 250 mediations rising to 631 in 2003. Nearly all – 94% – of mediations were heard in just one day. Three quarters of mediations reached settlement.