Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), or mediation, is normally used in an attempt to avoid the expense of taking disputes to court, an expense that is predominantly made up of lawyers’ fees. So why should lawyers be interested in ADR?
The answer is that mediation skills are fast becoming an indispensable tool for successful litigation experts. As solicitors or advocates, you will be employed to take a partisan view of any case in which you are instructed. But the truth is, the vast majority of cases are settled before they ever get to court – many of them at the door of the court itself. The lawyer who understands the art of mediation is going to be the most successful negotiator on their client’s behalf. It is for this reason that more and more practising lawyers are volunteering to undergo ADR training.
