By Tresca Rodrigues The alternative dispute resolution (ADR) industry is at a pivotal point of change and its ability to respond effectively is vital for future success. Changes to the ADR landscape (EU ADR Directive, the government’s civil justice agenda, legal aid cuts) have pushed dispute resolution away from the expense of a lengthy court process. These changes continue to gain further momentum with the recent Civil Justice Council’s recommendation on the use of online di

Looking forward to giving a presentation to a Council of Europe hearing in Madrid on the 30th October as to the role of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in improving access to justice. Not to be confused with the European Union, the Council of Europe was the body set up by the governments of Europe in the aftermath of World War II to put something in place to learn the lessons from the spread of fascism and to help secure a more democratic foundation for the Europe of the fu

No this is not a photo of an updated Tardis nor a new form of street toilet cubicle. This is the contraption I had to enter into in order to record an interview with Joshua Rozenberg for BBC Radio4's "Law In Action" series. I couldnt find the time to travel to London to be in the studio so I went to what some media people complain of as the broadcasting equivalent of Siberia - Salford Media City. I, and mediator Penelope Overton, discussed a case of a lady who had work done t

Honoured to be invited to present the keynote speech at the 'Future of Justice' conference held by the Information Technology Law Society at the University of Leicester on the 22nd October 2014. The emphasis , of course, was on Online Dispute Resolution. A great credit to the organisers that they were able to attract Colin Rule, COO and Founder of the leading ODR company, Modria (www.modria.com) and the original Head of ODR at eBay and PayPal, the man who designed and ran t

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators held their 7th Symposium on Mediation on the 9th October 2014. These events focus very much on new developments and challenges in mediation and raise issues of controversy. I was invited, with others, to cover the 'controversy' spot by presenting on the subject of Online Mediation. Many fascinating views were exchanged but so absorbing was the event this time around that the most captivating views were largely ignored ...being those

Graham Ross has been appointed a member of a new 12 strong ODR (Online Dispute Resolution) Advisory Group set up by the Civil Justice Council (a public body established under the Civil Procedure Act 1997 with responsibility for overseeing and co-ordinating the modernisation of the civil justice system of England and Wales) “to analyse the costs and benefits of ODR as an alternative means of resolving disputes.” The Advisory Group met for the first time on the 23rd April in th