Mediation and Arbitration

ADR is a long-established means of resolving disputes as an alternative or alongside court proceedings. Now that court resources are under pressure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is a very attractive option available to clients in resolving their dispute.

Mediation: mediation involving a civil mediator is often a very useful method of resolving a range of civil and chancery disputes. Parties are often represented. The involvement of a mediator facilitates effective negotiations and can often lead to settlement being reached.

Arbitration: where it is not possible to reach an agreement, a further option available to clients is arbitration. A number of members of Chambers are qualified arbitrators. Members of Chambers are also experienced in representing clients at arbitration.

Parklane Plowden Chambers service additional ADR areas specifically in relation to Family and Chancery and Commercial proceedings which include;

Early Neutral Evaluation (“ENE”): An expert opinion is provided to the parties as to the merits of their respective cases with the evaluator instructed by both parties, effectively as a joint expert. It can be helpful where the issue is primarily a legal one. ENE can be conducted either by way of written opinion or in person. Private FDRs are a form of ENE (see below).

Private FDRs: these can be provided either remotely or in Chambers. The private FDR will take place in comfortable surroundings conducive to reaching a settlement. Remote FDRs can be arranged using whichever conferencing platform works best for you, including Zoom and Skype for Business. Private FDRs can often be more cost effective than court proceedings.

Round table meetings/joint settlement meetings: parties negotiate with the assistance of their legal representative but without the involvement of a mediator. These can also be an effective means of dispute resolution.

Parklane Plowden Chambers has spacious premises in both Leeds and Newcastle and is ideally placed to host all forms of ADR.  Refreshments are provided and every effort made to ensure the comfort of those involved. Facilities for conducting ADR remotely are also available.