Civil Courts Review Consultation Paper

The review group chaired by the Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Gill, provides an excellent opportunity to consider the shape of the court system in the future and to reflect on the role which negotiation, mediation and other ways of addressing unresolved problems can play alongside the courts.

For some thoughts on the principles which might underlie a civil justice system, click here, and here to read the consultation paper. Click here to read Core’s response.

Recently, the attorney-general for Victoria, Australia, Rob Hulls, questioned whether the adversarial system had passed its “use-by date”. He said that alternative dispute resolution and mediation would be “at the heart of our forward agenda”. He confirmed that he was committed to exploring judge-led mediation. “Quite simply, the public are demanding more accessible and affordable justice and we have to find new and innovative ways of doing things.”