Judges need more mediation training, CEDR debate hears.

Judges need more mediation training, CEDR debate hears

Judges need more training on mediation, top lawyers and mediators said last week at a discussion hosted by CEDR (the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution).

Discussing the impact of Halsey v Milton Keynes General NHS Trust (see [2004] Gazette, 13 May, 3), Philip Bartle QC said: 'At the moment in the higher judiciary and the Court of Appeal, none of the judges has ever mediated.

There is a need for judicial education.'

Tim Wallace, a member of the Law Society's Alternative Dispute Resolution committee, added: 'This case puts the focus on judges, who have to decide whether a case where one party refused mediation had a reasonable chance of success at mediation.

On what basis are they going to come to these decisions? What training have they had?