News story

Mediation a success in civil justice system

Bill Wood, who is the acting Chair of the Civil Mediation Council, talks about the success of mediation in the civil justice system.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Bill Wood, who is the acting Chair of the Civil Mediation Council, talks about the success of mediation in the civil justice system.

Mediation in England and Wales is a huge success story, helping to save businesses, citizens and the Government from some of the huge expense and uncertainty involved in court cases.

Recent governments have given considerable support to the increased use of mediation in the civil justice system. UK mediators are in demand around the world both as mediators and mediation trainers.

On 8 May I attended a meeting at the House of Commons where Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly launched the Justice for Business: Supporting Businesses and Promoting Growth paper, to encourage businesses to use out-of-court ways to resolve disputes.

The Civil Mediation Council (CMC) is the recognised authority on civil, commercial, workplace and other non-family mediation. We accredit around 80 mediation providers every year. Only these providers can be considered for inclusion on the Government’s official listing of civil mediators.

The CMC’s members provide a pool of mediation talent with a variety of skills and backgrounds that are available to help the business world in resolving its disputes. The CMC is delighted to be involved in the drafting and development of the Dispute Resolution Commitment for Business and to be working with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales on this important project. The continuing support of the Ministry of Justice has been indispensable. The CMC will continue to give its full support.
 
Bill Wood QC

The CMC was founded in 2002 to represent the interests of the growing number of professional mediators in England and Wales. It seeks to raise public awareness of mediation as a dispute resolution technique and to provide some light-touch regulation of the mediation world. Representatives of the Ministry of Justice, BIS and ACAS sit on its board along with elected representatives of the mediation community.

Learn more about CMC and mediation

Find a civil mediation provider

Published 23 May 2012