Michael Lind considers the place for mediation in a brave new world
Next month Italy will introduce a law making mediation mandatory prior to pursuing litigation. In most commercial disputes, Italian parties will be required to mediate under new rules implemented as a result of the European Union Mediation Directive 2008 (Directive 2008/52/EC). This bold move is designed to help reduce the number of cases before the ailing Italian court system which is bursting at the seams.
Most thought leaders, including the former lord chief justice, Lord Woolf believe that the UK should resist a move to make mediation mandatory, since mediation stands the greatest chance of being used effectively by parties and legal advisers if it is voluntary.
One of the regulatory objectives the Legal Services Act 2007 sought to introduce was greater competition in the provision of legal services. Lawyers are now faced with increased competition from within the profession and from new entities offering legal services outside traditional legal practices.
Scrutiny
As well, in a post recession world, billing practices have come under particular scrutiny as clients are looking more closely at
