We previously reported on the Irish government’s Mediation Act, as of the new year this came into effect.
President of the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland Sabine Walsh said 2018 will be “a significant year in the development and practice of mediation in Ireland as a result of the Mediation Act coming into force…The commencement of the Act is official recognition by the State of the contribution mediation will make to the improvement of dispute resolution systems in Ireland.
“The Act provides a statutory framework for delivery of mediation within the legal system. This framework will make the mediation process even more robust and reliable. As a result, parties involved in a dispute are more likely to opt for mediation before heading into court particularly as solicitors will now advise their clients to consider mediation.
“The Act will make mediation more available and deliver better resolutions, at a lower cost, to those who are involved in disputes. Parties who choose this process to resolve disputes have the benefit of engaging in a confidential process with the power to determine the best outcome for them. The Act also means that agreements achieved through mediation are now legally enforceable.”
It is a step that Northwest Mediation and the Civil Mediation Council hope the UK government via the Civil Justice Council will see later this year. Despite the reluctance of some parts of the legal community the pressure for mediation increases from all sides, clients, the court and the forward thinking members of the legal world. The cost and delay of the legal process combined with the huge numbers of cases which settle after issue is a waste of time and resources and leaves clients feeling let down by the system as a whole.
Opting for mediation at the earliest stage allows parties to minimise issues, reduce costs and time and in most cases reach an agreed settlement long before they would within the under resourced legal system.
Mediation can help when business relationships fail as recognised by Minnesota Public Radio and former radio host Garrison Keillor.
Facebook posts suggest that Keillor the parties are moving into a second day of mediation to settle the dispute he has with the broadcaster which started after his alleged inappropriate behaviour.
MPR spokeswoman Angie Andresen confirmed they "are talking about issues related to the transition of their business relationship."
The allegations are that Keillor whilst consoling a colleague put his hand on the woman's bare back.
MPR say they fully investigated the allegations before cancelling Keillor’s contract, but fans of the radio star have been cancelling subscriptions in droves.
If you have a dispute in need of independent mediation, whether it's an employment issue, property dispute, a fight with a neighbour, family issues, commercial disputes or inheritance arguments contact Northwest Mediation on 07931318347 or via email at ed.johnson@northwestmediation.co.uk
neighbour mediation; commercial dispute resolution; commercial dispute; corporate dispute; commercial mediator; family mediation; inheritance mediation; property mediator;