Justice Committee Evidence Highlights the Role of Mediation

Following the CMC’s contribution to the Access to Justice Inquiry consultation last Autumn it was good to see mediation acknowledged as a solution to various issues raised during the Justice Committee’s recent evidence session at Westminster.

Earlier this month, the House of Commons Justice Committee heard from senior representatives of the Law Society, the Legal Aid Practitioners Group and the Bar Council. The cross-party inquiry is examining the current state of legal services and representation, including the experiences of those navigating the system without legal advice, and how access to justice can be supported across civil, criminal and family law.

Giving evidence, Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar Council, emphasised the importance of intervening early and diverting disputes away from adversarial processes where possible: “Not everything needs to end up in litigation. I certainly encourage more mediation and ADR. […] Divert out and you can address what is often a lot of social breakdown.”

The CMC welcomes the inclusion of mediation and ADR within these discussions and the growing recognition of their role in supporting constructive resolution for the benefit of individuals in conflict and the public services that seek to support them.