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 moreSudan to ink 'final' peace deal with rebels on Oct 2 – chief mediator
The "final signing" of a peace agreement between Sudan's government and rebel groups is set for October 2 in the South Sudanese capital Juba, the talks' chief mediator announced Sunday.
"The second of October is the date for the final signing of the peace agreement between the government and the 'parties to the peace process'," Tut Gatluak, head of the mediation team and South Sudan's presidential adviser on security affairs wrote on Twitter.
Read moreMediation will reduce backlog of court cases – Kagame
The committee of this alternative dispute resolution system is chaired by former Chief Justice, Prof. Sam Rugege.
“We wish that Rwandans further embrace the use of this approach of resolving disputes and conflicts through mediation. This will reduce the backlogs of cases as well as new cases filed in courts,“ Kagame said.
Read moreInnovation at the French IP office: spotlight on trademark tools and services
hat is why, in 2015, the INPI signed an agreement with the Business Relations Mediator, a government service that offers mediation services to ...
Read moreThe Bachelor: All of Peter Weber’s exes (minus Kelley) are plotting hexes
It seems we’ve entered yet another chapter in the season that never ends, as The Bachelor’s Peter Weber and his post-season antics continue to irk his former suitors. Can Chris Harrison please step in and mediate this mess?
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 moreMediation is extended to 150 days
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds Minnesota farmers and ag lending institutions that the state legislature extended the length of mediation available for farmers in the Farmer-Lender Mediation Program from 90 to 150 days
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 moreFederal court denies IPI motion to dismiss USA Fanter’s lawsuit
DISTRICT Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona on Thursday denied Imperial Pacific International’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit of USA Fanter Corp.
Read moreUnion leader asks Pelosi, Schumer to spike 'surprise' billing legislation
The IUOE said it would support creating independent boards to mediate billing disputes, pointing to a model used in New York, that the union said has saved consumers $400 million dollars and reduced out-of-network billing by 34 percent since being implemented in 2015.
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.
Read moreUnderstanding ‘Collaborative Divorce’
When thinking about divorce, we often equate it with the legal process, divorce court and divorce lawyers. But divorce, is obviously much more than a legal process. Divorce is a multi-dimensional transition which impacts not just the law, but also the family’s finances, emotions and parenting. It is for that reason that in a collaborative divorce, divorcing spouses have at their disposal, and are best served by, other professionals who bring expertise and assistance to the family beyond the lawyers.
Read moreCasitas pulls out of mediation talks over Ventura River water adjudication
An Ojai Valley water district has pulled out of mediation talks with the city of Ventura and others after months of negotiation over water rights.
Those talks started after the city of Ventura filed a cross-complaint in response to a 2014 lawsuit over its own pumping from the Ventura River. Santa Barbara Channelkeeper had filed the lawsuit, alleging the city of Ventura was taking too much water from the river, hurting habitat for steelhead trout and other wildlife.
Read moreThe politics of mediation
US President Donald Trump in India recently reiterated his desire to mediate the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.
Read moreResolving Medical Malpractice Matters - Positive Outcomes Through Mediation
There are numerous benefits associated with using mediation to resolve medical malpractice disputes. The mediation process affords both parties more control over the process, often reduces the cost of litigation, and can expedite dispute resolution for all. Medical malpractice mediation also presents its challenges. Given the nature of medical malpractice claims, the atmosphere at these hearings can be tense, and negotiations can be emotionally charged. What follows illustrates the importance of understanding the nuances of medical malpractice matters whether one is an advocate or a neutral seeking to assist the parties to reach a settlement.
Read moreGranger satisfied with CARICOM mediation of elections impasse
President David Granger yesterday said that he was satisfied with the mediation efforts of the five Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of State who concluded a two-day visit here yesterday and promised to abide by the constitution and the decision of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the outcome of the March 2 general and regional elections.
Read moreThe politics of mediation
Trump’s mediation offer has not disturbed the confidence of the Indian establishment. No significant statement from the top level shows New Delhi is confident that the offer would not convert into a well-planned American policy towards South Asia
Read moreA Fact-finding meeting to assess the mediation scheme in Latvia took place in Riga on 2 and 3 March 2020
RIGA (LATVIA) 2 AND 3 MARCH 2020
On 2 and 3 March 2020, the CEPEJ organised a meeting in Riga aiming at conducting an assessment of the Mediation scheme in Latvia. The experts, who are former members of the CEPEJ Working Group on mediation, therefore thoroughly exchanged with the key actors of mediation (mediators, judges, lawyers, ministry of justice) in order to collect as much information and data as possible to draft the Assessment report, on which the rest of the Action will be based. The setting up of a mediation pilot project has also been discussed with the Latvian authorities. This meeting directly followed the “Round table to present CEPEJ-GT-MED tools” which was organised in Riga on 21 February, where concrete tools developed by the CEPEJ Working Group on Mediation and aiming at developing the use of mediation were presented to relevant stakeholders.
This activity was organised in the framework of the joint Council of Europe and European Union project “Strengthening the access to justice in Latvia through fostering mediation and legal aid services, as well as support to the development of judicial policies and to increased quality of court management” funded through the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme.