New Resolving Commercial disputes service
The ICAEW and the Alternative Disputes Resolution Group (ADRg) have joined together to launch a mediation service that brings together a highly-qualified and experienced panel of eminent professionals from the legal and accountancy profession. Their new “resolving commercial disputes” service has been developed in response to an anticipated increase in commercial disputes coupled with pressures to reduce litigation costs through mediation as a result of the economic downturn.
The panel at the heart of the “resolving commercial disputes” service brings together senior lawyers and accountants trained in mediation and dispute resolution. Panel members from the legal profession include Lord Woolf of Barnes, former Chief Justice of England and Wales and author of the Woolf report on access to justice, and Cherie Booth QC, a leading Silk and expert on public law and human rights. Among the chartered accountants involved are Joseph Wan, CEO of Harvey Nichols and Arthur Harverd, Chairman of the London Court of International Arbitration. 
The service is intended for FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies facing complex commercial disputes that result in protracted and costly litigation. Seeking alternative routes to resolving disputes outside the courtroom and an early as possible makes more commercial sense, especially as the level of litigation during the economic downturn is expected to increase. Estimates show that mediation saved business £1bn in terms of time, legal costs, lost productivity and damaged relationships.
Michael Izza, chief executive of the ICAEW, commented on the launch:
“The service is the first of its kind to combine the expertise of both lawyers and accountants. I firmly believe that by bringing together these two highly regarded professions we are providing a unique way of resolving commercial disputes. The service offers cost effective and quicker solutions to avoid expensive litigation.”
ADRg is an authority in mediation and other dispute resolution techniques and has provided expertise in the profession for the past 20 years. The ICAEW provides leadership and practical support to over 132,000 chartered accountants worldwide.
Mike Lind, Managing Director of ADRg, added:
“To fully understand the complex commercial issues often at stake and to find a solution requires not just knowledge and experience but also innovation. The panel we have brought together has all these skills and companies who use it will have access to some of the best legal and financial acumen as well as boardroom experience available. Resolving commercial disputes is a distinctive offering that comes at a fundamental time for companies as they face increasing litigation due to the economic downturn.”
For further information please go to http://www.resolvingcommercialdisputes.com/
To view national press coverage of the launch please click on the links below:
Legal Week
Financial Director
Manchester Evening News
The Times
