Dispute resolution is in desperate need of a cultural change, according to new proposals put forward by the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (CIArb).
In a paper published this week, Close the Gap, CIArb sets out its vision for the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) sector and responds to the government’s consultation paper for post-Brexit Britain, Building our Industrial Strategy: green paper.
CIArb’s proposals include greater use of ADR in addition to proposed planning courts to fast-track development disputes over construction projects, increased use of “conflict avoidance boards” (also known as DBs) to help prevent disputes arising by encouraging informal discussion, and the promotion of conflict avoidance tools during the drafting process for government contracts.
Anthony Abrahams, director general of CIArb said: “We urge the government to close the knowledge gap, to change the culture of dispute resolution and to enable the UK to capitalise on its world-leading position in the ADR sector to support skills development and promote regional ADR hubs across the whole country.”
