The Covid-19 pandemic has forced disputes lawyers to change their ways. But how effectively are arbitrations being conducted now, and what lessons can be learned to help international arbitration develop in the future, after the pandemic is over?
Read moreNova Scotia’s eCourt platform is first online judicial dispute resolution service in Canada
Nova Scotia’s eCourt recently launched online dispute resolution pilot program enables counsel for both parties and the judge to communicate in real time.
The pilot program, which went live in July, aims to allow those with simple family legal issues, such as divorce, child custody, spousal support or child support, to more simply, safely, easily and affordably access the courts to resolve these matters, stated the news release from the Nova Scotia government.
Read moreTop 3 Misconceptions Attorneys Have About Virtual Mediation
Although largely unknown to the average litigant, alternative dispute resolution providers across the country have offered virtual mediation services for upwards of a decade. The sudden increase in the popularity of these virtual services is, of course, due to COVID-19. The pandemic’s restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings have brought virtual mediation to the forefront of litigation.
Read moreKevin Schlosser Authors, “The Use of Private Judges: New World, New Wave?”
Our system of justice has certainly faced various challenges over the years, but no one can deny that the COVID-19 crisis has forced us to confront unprecedented obstacles―2020 has been a year no one will forget. In March, the entire state court system virtually shut down, except for cases deemed “essential.” While our administrative judges and the office of court administration have worked tirelessly to restore some semblance of normalcy, the challenges are formidable.
INSIGHT: Best Practices for Conducting Remote Arbitration Hearings
Most businesses must now connect virtually, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and arbitration hearings are no exception. We were one week into a two-week arbitration hearing when New York City shut down, forcing the hearing to conclude via video. Video hearings may be the future of arbitration—at least in the short term.
Attorneys need to think about important considerations and best practices for conducting a hearing via video. This article also addresses applicable arbitral institution rules (or lack thereof) and discusses why this area is ripe for consideration by these institutions.