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09 August 2024 / Nikki Edwards
Issue: 8083 / Categories: Features , Profession , ADR , Dispute resolution , Family , Mediation
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Dispute resolution under Labour: looking ahead

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ADR has the potential to alleviate various pressures on the courts, but Nikki Edwards argues for a nuanced approach
  • The London Solicitors Litigation Association is in favour of proposed rule changes when it comes to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) but recommends specifically revising the wording in CPR 1.1 to avoid imposing ADR improperly.
  • The Labour government should champion the development of ADR in the UK but proceed with caution and avoid a one size fits all approach.

As the new Labour government settles into office, it has yet to articulate a clear position on alternative dispute resolution (ADR). However, given its broader commitment to justice reform and support for working people, I anticipate it will be on the agenda once the first 100 days are out of the way.

Given Keir Starmer’s background as a lawyer, we can expect he has a good understanding of the challenges facing the legal system. These include the limited resources that the courts currently have, the time it takes for cases to be heard and the expense of litigation

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NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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