COVID-19 accelerated the number of parties choosing virtual hearings, but this is not the first time proceedings have been convened with the use of technology. Strain says: “For many years, where necessary and appropriate, the DIFC Courts have been willing to convene hearings of urgent applications by telephone, and have allowed witnesses to be heard remotely using video conferencing facilities, provided the ‘DIFC Protocol on Remote Witnesses’ is complied with.”
Read moreFMCS says early investments in virtual mediation paying off during pandemic
“Obviously like a lot of other agencies and organizations, what we had to do in the national emergency condition was move our entire workforce to the virtual state,” Flax said. “But because we had a decent background in it, it’s actually been going pretty well.”
Today, all 150 federal mediators are connected and conducting virtual mediation using at least one video conference platform, Flax said.
The service recently hit a new milestone: Mediators have conducted more than 1 million minutes of online meetings using their main video platform within 30 days.
Read moreMediations on the rise as students try to get out of rental contracts
All COVID-19 housing cases will begin in a teleconference mediation session via Zoom, according to the center’s website. There are a total of 14 mediators tasked with handling the off-campus housing mediation sessions, and each session is meant to be under 90 minutes
Read moreMental health under COVID-19: Creating intentional group work while quarantined BY RANDY FLOOD, MA, LLP, DIRECTOR, MEN'S RESOURCE CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN | MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2020
We are pack animals and most humans need to gather socially for connection, or at least for utilitarian purposes. Yet, we desire the freedom to choose with whom to gather, how long, and ultimately knowing if things get really bad or boorish, we are free to roam or exit. And then we were hit with this Stay at Home order, stuck with the same people, not knowing for how long, and left with only solitary or virtual pursuits outside your quarantined tribe. It may feel like anything but a kumbaya social circle.
Read moreMediation in Family Law Cases During COVID-19
Many family law attorneys would argue that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) formats such as mediation, arbitration and collaboration are more effective than litigation in family law cases. Due to COVID-19, ADR (most often mediation) is the only immediate option available for many. Some family courts are conducting hearings remotely via Zoom, but for the most part they are not able to address non-emergent disputes. As of now, judges are not compelling mediations via Zoom, so attorneys and/or clients have to agree to participate. Users are reporting great results from Zoom mediations, but there are pros and cons to consider.
Read moreJudicial heavyweights call for 'breathing space' to save dispute resolution system
Lord Phillips, another former Supreme Court president, as saying 'parties should consider mediation, and conciliation should be encouraged at an early stage of legal proceedings'.
Read moreHong Kong Introduces COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution Scheme
The Hong Kong Government has announced a series of measures to support individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19. With regards to the legal sector, the COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Scheme is planned to be launched in June 2020. In the meantime, preliminary information concerning the operation of the ODR Scheme has been provided by the Secretary for Justice.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, an upsurge in disputes related to the outbreak has been anticipated. In order to “provide speedy and cost-effective means to resolve such disputes, especially for those involving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that may be adversely affected or hard hit by the pandemic,” the ODR Scheme intends to cover COVID-19 disputes for claims up to HK$500,000.
Read moreThoughts on ADR in the face of the Covid-19 Pandemic – A Neutral’s Perspective
As we are all challenged by the current pandemic, it strikes me that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is perhaps no longer an alternative to traversing the court system, but rather the only viable method for the expeditious resolution of disputes.
Read moreCourt online dispute resolution now available in Oakland County
The Michigan Supreme Court’s online tool for resolving certain legal disputes has been expanded to Oakland County.
The court’s Office of Dispute Resolution has made the service, MI-Resolve, available in 18 counties so far. The service allows for virtual resolution of disputes that would otherwise be filed as small claims, civil cases or landlord-tenant cases in district court.
Read moreFamily and Dispute Resolution in Pandemic Times
Mediation is a tool that lends itself to these critical pandemic times—for families previously living with great levels of tension and conflict, the chance to have a facilitated conversation and ease the pressure can help spare them added anxiety and even resolve or preclude anger. For families whose financial and parenting agreements no longer comport with the realities of their current incomes and lifestyles, mediation too offers an opportunity to reconsider terms under the new circumstances.
Read moreWorkplace disputes can opt for online resolution
The CRT – Canada’s first online tribunal – resolves motor vehicle disputes of up to $50,000, small claims disputes of up to $5,000, and strata property, societies and co-operative associations disputes of any amount. The tribunal remains fully operational, with staff members working remotely. The CRT is also not issuing any default decisions or orders until at least after May 15, has the authority to extend deadlines and limitation periods while B.C.’s emergency declaration persists and will exercise its discretion to waive fees for anyone who is in a difficult financial situation due to COVID-19. Those on a government assistance program are already eligible for the CRT’s fee waiver program.
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