Alternative Dispute Resolution Flashcards
What is ADR? (2)
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- The means of resolving a dispute without going through court
What are the four main types of ADR?
- Negotiation
- Mediation
- Conciliation
- Arbitration
Explain Negotiation (4)
- Involves solving the dispute with the parties directly
- Could involve solicitors that result in a settlement before the court date
- There are “modern” methods of negotiation
- It’s the biggest method of ADR - completely private, easy, and with minimal cost
What are the modern methods of negotiation? (2)
- DIY
- Online
Explain mediation (5)
- Involves having a third party act as referee
- Particularly popular in family cases
- There are “modern” methods
- The mediator CANNOT suggest ways to compromise. The parties must make their own decision
- Becoming seen as compulsory after Dunnet v Railtrack
What are the modern methods of mediation? (2)
- Online
- Mediation centres
What happened in Dunnet v Railtrack?
- An adverse cost order was given to parties who refused to mediate
What was introduced in 2011?
- Mediation Information Meetings (MIAMS)
What are mediation information meetings? What do they involve? (2)
- Compulsory initial meetings for all divorced couples
- Costs around £140 and will assess whether the case is suitable for resolution through mediation or whether court would be more appropriate
What are some mediation services away from the conventional solicitor’s office? (4)
- DMS (dispute mediation service)
- CEDR
- The Mediation Room
- West Kent Mediation
Explain Conciliation (5)
- Involves a third party taking a more active role
- Common in industrial disputes - ACAS is the biggest conciliatory body
- It’s a prevention rather than cure approach
- Used in access to services for the disabled
- Can be used to avoid industrial strikes
Explain Arbitration. Governed by what Act? Common in what cases? Is the result binding? etc (7)
- Governed by the Arbitration Act 1996
- Common in commercial contracts and sporting disputes
- The result is binding on the parties
- A flexible procedure (e.g number of witnesses, where, when etc)
- One can choose a specialist in the field or a legal professional as the arbitrator
- Must be carried out in judicial manner in line with natural justice
- Scott v Avery clause
What is a Scott v Avery clause?
- An official agreement to arbitrate before contract
What does s1 of the Arbitration Act 1996 state? (2)
a) the object of arbitration is to obtain the fair resolution of disputes by an impartial tribunal without unnecessary delay or expense
b) the parties should be free to agree how their disputes are resolved, subject only to such safeguards as are necessary in the public interest
An agreement to arbitrate will usually be in what form? Why?
- Writing, as the Arbitration Act 1996 applies only to written arbitration agreements