ODR Advisory Group: Small Claims and ODR (January 2015)

Current government policy focuses upon the delivery of a quality justice system, at a proportionate cost, within a reasonable time. In the report, ‘Solving disputes in the County Court’, the government aspired “to deliver a [justice] system that prevents the unnecessary escalation of disputes before cases reach the court room”. The Minister for Justice, Lord Faulks, has recently confirmed this statement remains government policy.

The commitment of the government to mediation is matched by a concern to develop and incorporate consistent standards for the delivery of all mediation services.   This paper considers how ODR can inform the direction and development of mediation services on the small claims track for cases up to a value of £10,000.