The first UK-China mediation service to help European and Chinese businesses resolve disputes without having to go to court in a foreign jurisdiction was officially launched last week at a ceremony in Beijing attended by Lord Woolf.

The project is the result of collaboration between the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Two mediation centres, located in London and Beijing, will offer mediation by an either English or Mandarin-speaking trained mediator. Co-mediation will also be available.


The new centres have received support from City firms Clifford Chance, Lovells, Allen & Overy and Herbert Smith, along with US firm Baker & McKenzie; the All China Lawyers Association and top Chinese law firms King & Wood and Jun he; as well as organisations such as the British Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry and the British Council.


A CEDR spokesman said the service had been created because of the growing amount of work in the business and legal communities between Europe and China.


Allen & Overy partner Joanna Page said it would engender confidence that disputes will not escalate and can be resolved.