Rocketing costs and time consuming trials have meant that accessing justice through the courts is simply not possible for many members of the public in the UK.
It means that only the very rich are able to access justice and leaves ordinary people, publishers and charities unable to speak out against power for fear of being dragged through crippling litigation.
But new rules in English and Welsh courts could soon see more cases recommended for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), such as that offered by Impress.
It comes after changes were made to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) which control civil litigation in English courts.
Greater emphasis has now been given to a historic case in the Court of Appeal from 2023 where the court found that, in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil, judges have the power to pause proceedings so the parties can attempt to resolve their disputes through arbitration or mediation.
We are proud to offer these faster and more cost-friendly alternatives, to enable people to assert their rights and get to a much faster resolution at substantially lower cost.
In some cases, the court can even rule that the parties engage in these alternative forms of resolution, helping to avoid costly and protracted court battles.
On the change to the rules, Impress Chief Executive Lexie Kirkconnell-Kawana said: “These changes to encourage and promote alternative dispute resolution are very welcome.
“Far too many people have been unable to access justice via the court system due to the enormous costs associated with it – that is before even encountering the huge mental and physical toll a court battle can take.
“We are proud to offer these faster and more cost-friendly alternatives, to enable people to assert their rights and get to a much faster resolution at substantially lower cost. We hope these measures will also significantly reduce the burden on our courts and the justice system overall, meaning more equitable outcomes for everyone.”
The CPR’s overriding objective has now been updated to reference ‘promoting or using alternative dispute resolution’, which will guide judicial decision-making about procedural matters.
Case management powers have also been changed to now allow them to order parties to engage in ADR.
What does Impress offer?
Many people think that, when they have been wronged, the only route to achieving justice is through the court system. But that is not the case.
By opting out of the court process, you can still get a legally binding outcome by seeking alternative dispute resolution. The only difference is that you’ll get a result much faster and for less money.
With Impress, we offer mediation and arbitration services, allowing you to settle your disputes without having to step foot in a courtroom.
You can find out more and book a free consultation here!
Media enquiries
Louie Chandler: louie@impressreg.org.uk / 02033076778
About ImpressÂ
Impress is a champion for news that can be trusted. We are here to make sure news providers can publish with integrity; and the public can engage in an ever-changing media landscape with confidence. We set the highest regulatory standards for news, offer education to help people make informed choices and provide resolution when disputes arise.
