On-line ADR success

Solicitors who took part in the first live European public demonstration of how the Internet can be used to conduct on-line mediation are hailing it as the way forward, after the case was settled in less time and at a fraction of the cost associated with traditional litigation.Bristol firms TLT and Bevans acted in the mock construction dispute - organised by the ADR Group and technology provider TheClaimRoom.com, run by solicitor Graham Ross - which took place over four days.

The system used structured 'rooms' to enable the lawyers to conduct 'blind bidding', hold on-line meetings, and deliver private and open statements via message boards.

Access to the boards was strictly controlled to ensure confidential communications between the parties and their advisers, and with the mediator.

Bevans associate Guy Hollebon said on-line mediation was ideal for saving time and money in cases where the factual and legal issues were simple, especially if the parties were far apart geographically.

'From the solicitor's perspective, an on-line mediation does not mean time out of the office and it can be used by anyone, anywhere in the world with access to the Internet,' he said.

TLT mediation head Kerry Gwyther said the exercise illustrated the versatility and flexibility of mediation in the electronic age.

'While it is not suitable for all types of dispute, I can certainly see its uses for the disputes we become involved in where the parties are in different time zones and are comfortable with the electronic medium,' he explained.

ADR Group research and marketing head Samuel Passow said: 'The speed and non-confrontational aspects gives on-line dispute resolution a role in disputes of low monetary value, where an initial apology or written clarification will often clear the way to resolving the distributive element of the dispute.'

Paula Rohan