This chapter provides an overview of negotiation and mediation, both of which can take place at any stage in a case, whether or not proceedings have been issued. Neither has formal procedural rules save for those agreed by the parties. Both can only take place with the agreement of the parties, and both will only result in a settlement with the agreement of the clients. In very broad terms, it might be said that mediation is a facilitated and more structured form of negotiation. Despite the broad similarities, the role of a lawyer in these two processes can be very different. Negotiation is normally carried out by the lawyers acting for each party, often without clients being present. In mediation, the mediator may deal only with the parties, especially in a small case, or both parties and lawyers may attend with the lawyer providing advice to the client at all stages.
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This chapter studies the general principles of mediation, which is a form of neutrally assisted negotiation. The negotiations take place with the help of a neutral third party, within a structured process, in a formal setting, during a defined period of time, all of which help to create an impetus for settlement. The mediator then works to facilitate a settlement between the parties. There is no determination of liability in mediation, and any settlement that is reached is not necessarily based on the underlying legal rights or obligations of the parties. Instead, the parties, with the assistance of the mediator, can reach a solution which is tailored to their real needs and interests. The chapter identifies three styles of mediation: facilitative mediation, evaluative mediation, and transformative mediation. Ultimately, the European Code of Conduct for Mediators, which has been adopted by the Civil Mediation Council (CMC), provides a useful benchmark for determining the minimum rules of professional conduct that should be expected from a mediator.
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This chapter identifies the procedures of preparing for mediation. If the parties to the dispute have appointed lawyers, then the lawyers will undertake most of the preparatory work that is required for a mediation. A lawyer will often be required to describe what happens in the mediation process, select and agree the appointment of a suitable mediator, agree the terms of the mediation agreement, and locate and book (if necessary) the venue for the mediation. They are also required to sort out preliminary ground rules for the mediation with the mediator and the other parties such as the documents that need to be prepared and (if necessary) exchanged, decide whether expert evidence should be sought on any issue in advance of the mediation, and who should attend the mediation on behalf of each party. The lawyer who is instructed to attend the mediation will also need to prepare thoroughly for it and this will include consideration of the negotiating strategy and tactics they will employ during the mediation.
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This chapter examines Court Mediation Schemes and other schemes. Time-limited, fixed-cost mediations can take place through Court Mediation Schemes and the Civil Mediation Online Directory. Some courts also operate judicial mediation schemes. There are many industry- and sector-specific schemes, and mediation is now being employed in some criminal cases to achieve restorative justice. Mediation can be used effectively in multi-party or complex disputes, although modifications may need to be made to the process to take account of the multiplicity of parties and/or issues. It can also be used in public sector and regulatory disputes. There is a move towards mandatory information mediation assessment meetings at which the parties are required to consider but not undertake mediation.
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This chapter discusses the mediation process, which is flexible and can be tailored to the needs of the parties. When the mediation begins and ends can often only be ascertained by examining the intention of the parties from the facts and circumstances of the case. A typical mediation will go through four stages: opening, exploratory, bargaining, and settlement. It will take place in a mixture of joint open meetings and private separate meetings of the parties. First, the opening statement by the parties should be addressed to the other side. The mediator will then help the parties to work through deadlock in the bargaining phase. Ultimately, the advocate in mediation should harness the mediator's skills and work with the mediator to further their client's interests.
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Alisdair A. Gillespie and Siobhan Weare
This chapter considers alternative dispute resolutions (ADR), which are ways that a dispute can be settled outside of the court process. The chapters considers the growth of ADR and how the courts now require litigants to consider ADR before commencing legal action. The courts have wide powers to encourage ADR and this chapter considers these powers and why the courts try to encourage ADR. The key forms of ADR are then presented, together with an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses.
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Alisdair A. Gillespie and Siobhan Weare
This chapter considers alternative dispute resolutions (ADR), which are ways that a dispute can be settled outside of the court process. The chapters considers the growth of ADR and how the courts now require litigants to consider ADR before commencing legal action. The courts have wide powers to encourage ADR and this chapter considers these powers and why the courts try to encourage ADR. The key forms of ADR are then presented, together with an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses.
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This chapter evaluates international mediation. Mediation is particularly effective as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process for resolving international disputes because it enables linguistic and cultural differences to be managed and respected to a greater extent than is possible in court proceedings. Moreover, it avoids complex arguments about which court has jurisdiction to determine the dispute and which system of law applies to the dispute. The chapter then looks at the EU Directive on mediation in civil and commercial matters, which sets minimum standards for mediation in EU countries. The United Kingdom has implemented the Directive by adding to the suspension of the operation of the limitation period while the parties are attempting mediation in a cross-border dispute, and providing for mediation settlement agreements in such disputes to be made orders of the court for ease of enforcement by enabling parties to apply for a Mediation Settlement Enforcement Order (MSEO).
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This chapter deals with the methods by which the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) encourage parties to settle their disputes at an early stage and, ultimately, without proceeding to trial. It also looks at the methods of dispute resolution that may be available. The chapter includes a detailed look at the most common dispute resolution methods. Further, it covers the different types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); the integration of ADR into the CPR; the philosophy of ADR; and a detailed look at mediation.
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This chapter first discusses the methods by which a family lawyer may resolve family law disputes, including alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It then reviews the various forms of negotiation that a family lawyer may undertake. These include settlement between clients, negotiation through correspondence, meeting between counsel, and at-court negotiation. Next, the chapter discusses mediation and collaborative law as different forms of ADR used in family law. It outlines MIAMs (mediation information and assessment meetings) and their importance prior to issuing proceedings. It also discusses the various steps of collaborative law. It also briefly considers a recent development in family ADR: arbitration.
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This chapter first discusses the methods by which a family lawyer may resolve family law disputes, including alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It then reviews the various forms of negotiation that a family lawyer may undertake. These include settlement between clients, negotiation through correspondence, meeting between counsel, and at-court negotiation. Next, the chapter discusses mediation and collaborative law as different forms of ADR used in family law. It outlines MIAMs (mediation information and assessment meetings) and their importance prior to issuing proceedings. It also discusses the various steps of collaborative law. It also briefly considers a recent development in family ADR: arbitration.
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Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly mediation, plays a key role in reducing the costs of civil disputes by fomenting the early settlement of cases. This chapter discusses ADR processes; advantages or disadvantages of ADR and litigation; the cost of ADR; reference to ADR; and court involvement in ADR. Adjudicative ADR results in the third party neutral deciding the dispute or difference between the parties. Non-adjudicative ADR processes involve moving the parties towards reaching a compromise agreement between themselves. Rules of court require parties to consider using ADR. Sanctions may be imposed on parties who act unreasonably.
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Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly mediation, plays a key role in reducing the costs of civil disputes by fomenting the early settlement of cases. This chapter discusses ADR processes; advantages or disadvantages of ADR and litigation; the cost of ADR; reference to ADR; and court involvement in ADR. Adjudicative ADR results in the third party neutral deciding the dispute or difference between the parties. Non-adjudicative ADR processes involve moving the parties towards reaching a compromise agreement between themselves. Rules of court require parties to consider using ADR. Sanctions may be imposed on parties who act unreasonably.
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This chapter focuses on key aspects of the final stage of the negotiation or mediation process: reaching a settlement. An agreement reached through mediation or negotiation is essentially a contract. As such, contractual principles will apply, and oral or email exchanges may be binding. To avoid problems, it is important to be clear about process. It is also necessary to check the coverage and detail of a potential settlement fully. A potential agreement may be undermined by a failure to agree detail as the settlement process goes forward, or due to tactics in the final stages. Ultimately, it is very important to finalize the terms of an agreement at the end of the settlement process, perhaps building in terms to assist enforcement or implementation.
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This chapter studies expert or neutral determination. Expert determination differs from early neutral or expert evaluation because the parties will appoint an expert to make a decision or formal determination on the issues referred to the expert. The expert can only make a decision within the boundaries laid down by the parties. In this sense, expert determination is a determinative process, rather than a facilitative process (mediation) or an advisory evaluative process (neutral evaluation). Expert determination differs from evaluation because the expert is asked to do more than produce a non-binding evaluation, opinion, or recommendation in relation to the issues in dispute, but rather to determine those issues. The decision is usually final and binding on the parties, and it can only be challenged in court proceedings in very limited circumstances.
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This chapter describes early neutral evaluation (ENE), which is a non-binding assessment and evaluation of the facts, evidence, and/or the legal merits of an issue in the case or of the case as a whole. It is usually undertaken by the parties jointly, although in some cases it can be undertaken at the request of one party only in relation to their own case. The parties will usually appoint a neutral third party to evaluate the facts, evidence, and law in relation to the issue or case and provide an opinion on the merits. This differs from mediation, which is essentially a facilitative process. ENE is an advisory and evaluative process. It can take place within the court system, in which case the evaluation is usually carried out by a judge. Ultimately, ENE assists the parties to negotiate a settlement by direct negotiations or in mediation.
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Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly mediation, plays a key role in reducing the costs of civil disputes by fomenting the early settlement of cases. This chapter discusses ADR processes; advantages or disadvantages of ADR and litigation; the cost of ADR; reference to ADR; and court involvement in ADR. Adjudicative ADR results in the third party neutral deciding the dispute or difference between the parties. Non-adjudicative ADR processes involve moving the parties towards reaching a compromise agreement between themselves. Rules of court require parties to consider using ADR. Sanctions may be imposed on parties who act unreasonably.
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This chapter examines the ethical issues raised by alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It first looks at the process of negotiation, which is the way in which lawyers resolve most disputes. It then considers other forms of ADR, including mediation and, briefly, arbitration. The chapter highlights the advantages and disadvantages of these processes. It also considers what attracts clients to use these forms of dispute resolution.
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George Patrick Nicholls
This chapter discusses the challenges of practising family law and the reforms enacted to address the crisis in the family justice system since the beginning of the twenty-first century. These reforms included the streamlining of the family courts into one unified single Family Court, the considerable reduction in available funding, and the introduction of protocols before issuing court proceedings. This chapter examines the Family Procedure Rules and the Family Law Protocol and what is required to comply with them. Legal aid, and the types of cases now eligible for it after the reforms and the legal aid statutory charge are discussed. It then considers the subsequent increase and consequences in the numbers of litigants in person and McKenzie Friends, examines the different types of non court dispute resolution, particularly mediation, and looks at the effects of Covid-19 on the judiciary and court staff.
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This chapter deals with the methods by which the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) encourage parties to settle their disputes at an early stage and, ultimately, without proceeding trial. It also looks at the methods of dispute resolution that may be available. The chapter includes a detailed look at the most common dispute resolution methods. Further, it covers the different types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); the integration of ADR into the CPR; the philosophy of ADR; and a detailed look at mediation.
