Mediation is the only way forward for "messy and expensive" company law disputes according to the senior judge who manages corporate divorces.  High Court judge Ms Justice Mary Laffoy said that company law disputes, often between longstanding friends and siblings, as well as husbands and wives, are highly expensive and time consuming, with many lasting for years.  "Mediation has application across the board, and I think most judges would welcome a mediation act" said Judge Laffoy. read


4/30: IPO mediation service is relaunched

The UK Intellectual Property Office has recently launched a new mediation services to help businesses resolved disputes faster and more cheaply.

The move follows the Hargreaves report which identified reasons why an earlier mediation service was rarely used and assessed how it could be improved to meet the needs of businesses. The service will now offer a greater choice of mediation options including telephone sessions and will provide a wider list of specialist accredited mediators and a more flexible fee scale.

Disputes from infringement of an IP right, issues about IP licensing, copyright licensing issues and patent entitlement will all come within the ambit of the services. read


4/28: Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution in the UK

Why compromise? Increasingly in civil litigation there are no winners — not even the lawyers, following the review and implementation of Sir Rupert Jackson’s report into costs. The question is rapidly being re-phrased as “Why litigate?” read


4/23: Ireland Mediation Guide

Over the last number of years, mediation has become increasingly used or considered as an alternative dispute resolution process in Ireland. According to the CEDR Ireland/ICMA Mediation Audit 2013, mediations have increased by 739% between 2003 and 2012 and 73% of all mediations surveyed reached agreement. read


4/17: Ireland: Judiciary mediation plan revealed

An increasingly bitter dispute between judges and the Government has been defused after the Chief Justice Susan Denham secured agreement on a new mediation system. read


4/17: Scottish football needs mediator, says Stewart Gilmour

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour believes Scottish football needs a "mediator" to facilitate a way forward. read


4/15: Manchester judge warns of legal time bomb for families

Legal aid changes and ignorance of options is set to lead families into debt and create chaos for children. read


4/11: UK: Mediation Is in the Spotlight as Government Finds Funds

The cash-strapped Coalition announced on the 10th April they would be pumping £6.5million into projects aimed at helping separated parents "put their differences aside for the sake of their children". The announcement has put mediation in the spotlight as divorcees seek to minimise the impact of their split on their children. read


4/02: Mediation is 'common sense' not a sign of weakness, says Commerical Courts chief

Mr Justice Peter Kelly says mediation is on the rise but still underutilised. read


4/01: UK: Huge rise in disputed wills; mediation recommended

A respected litigation lawyer has urged the county’s families to consider mediation as an alternative to costly courtroom battles – as the number of disputed wills has soared. read