Press Release
12 May 2006
ADR Group - supporting a sustainable mediation culture in Scotland
Scotland is moving swiftly to accept and integrate mediation into the judicial, legal and business environment. Civil, commercial and family disputes which would otherwise make their way through
the courts are being resolved quickly and effectively through mediation. Professional resistance to alternative dispute resolution procedures exists in Scotland as it does in many other jurisdictions,
but the development of a sustainable mediation culture in Scotland is well on its way.
This increase comes about in part because of increased support for mediation from the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament and other public bodies who have taken the following steps:
• Publishing the booklet “Resolving disputes without going to court”
• Creation of a Dispute Resolution and Tribunals Policy branch of the Justice Department
• Launched the Edinburgh Sheriff Court pilot referral scheme with Glasgow and Aberdeen soon to follow
• NHS Scotland pilot scheme for medical negligence
“The Scottish Executive supports the use of ADR where appropriate and is keen to encourage the use of methods of dispute resolution which offer advantages over court-based processes in terms of speed,cost, resolution in conflict and preservation of relationships.” August 2005
The increase in mediation activity in Scotland has also been influenced by commercial considerations.The Scottish economy is now seeking to align itself with European and international developments in ADR, where mediation (as a generic process) is now widely accepted as an effective, lower-cost alternative to litigation.
Specialist organisations like the Scottish Mediation Network are also to be credited with the increase in mediation activity. "Mediation has potential application to disputes in any part of Scottish society. It is essential that this emerging body of important mediation work is of the highest possible quality." said Ewan Malcolm, Scottish Mediation Network.
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Mediation in Scotland - The Scottish Mediation Network
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As part of ADR Group’s ongoing campaign to promote mediation awareness amongst the scottish legal and commercial community, in conjunction with Munro Consulting and CMS Cameron McKenna, ADR Group yesterday hosted a Mediation Awareness Forum in Aberdeen. The event was directed at industry professionals discussing mediation as a powerful and effective tool to managing conflict. Michael Lind joined an expert panel of speakers to elaborate on the philosophy of mediation.
Scotland has also seen significant court scheme activity with the launch of Aberdeen and Glasgow in addition to the Edinburgh pilot.
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About ADR Group
ADR Group is the leading professional alternative dispute resolution company in the UK. We are highly regarded both nationally and internationally as an authority in mediation and other cost-effective dispute resolution and prevention techniques spanning commercial, public-sector and family disputes.
The Group delivers a wide range of dispute resolution training programmes through its training faculty, with all programmes recognised and approved by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council. ADR Group is also recognised as an accredited mediation provider by the Civil Mediation Counsel, the UK’s leading mediation standards organisation.
ADR Group is an organisation supporting initiatives approved by the Department for Constitutional Affairs, the Court Service and various Court based mediation schemes around the country. The Group formed part of the European Commission’s ADR working party on the drafting and implementation of the EU ADR Code and Directive. ADR Group operates an International ADR Development Programme and has delivered mediation awareness and Judicial training programmes funded by the British Embassy, the Department for International Development and the World Bank Group.
For further information contact:
Katie Vander Woerd
E: Katie.vander-woerd@adrgroup.co.uk
T: +44 (0) 117 946 7180.
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