Government leads by example with pledge on ADR

The government last week jumped on the alternative dispute resolution bandwagon when the Lord Chancellors Department pledged that it would use ADR and mediation wherever...The government last week jumped on the alternative dispute resolution bandwagon when the Lord Chancellors Department pledged that it would use ADR and mediation wherever possible in place of litigation.

Government legal disputes will in future go to court only as a last resort, and standard government procurement contracts will include clauses on using ADR to resolve disputes instead of litigation.

Geoffrey Greenhouse, of the Association of Mediation Solicitors, said: We are hoping this will be a kickstart for the rest of the industry to get mediation and arbitration accepted as part of the litigation process.

A Centre for Dispute Resolution spokesman said: We have pressed the government for some time to practise what they preach.

The Lord Chancellor has been promoting ADR for some time, but now they are leading by example.Victoria MacCallum