International Mediation Updates – September 2014

This is another in a series of updates on the development of mediation internationally by Mediate.com News Editor, Keith Seat.

The Supreme Court of Belize is encouraging mediation by establishing a cadre of trained mediators and recently referred two major cases to mediation; one of the justices chairs a national committee that manages the mediation program.  Breaking Belize News (August 1, 2014)

The International Cotton Association, located in the U.K., has long offered arbitration to settle disputes in the international cotton trade and is now pursuing mediation as an alternative to arbitration.  The Hindu (August 12, 2014)

The NHS Litigation Authority in England launched a pilot mediation program in July to resolve patient disputes over NHS care that may have been below standard.  Mediation will be offered in cases involving fatalities or elder care, using CEDR accredited mediators.  Source Wire News Distribution (August 5, 2014); NHS LA Mediation Brochure

Five banks are participating in a six month pilot project to resolve financial services disputes at a mediation center in Strathmore Law School in Nairobi, Kenya.  The Star (July 11, 2014)

Serbia has developed regulations to implement a law on mediation in trade and lease of real estate.  Balkans.Com (July 24, 2014)

The Law Ministry in Pakistan has drafted alternative dispute resolution legislation that has been sent to the Prime Minister for cabinet approval.  The draft legislation mandates that all courts require parties in civil and commercial cases to mediate before proceeding to trial.  The News International (July 23, 2014)

The Department of Consumer Affairs in India is considering amendments to the Consumer Protection Act to require mediation and arbitration to more quickly resolve consumer claims, including real estate disputes, which are backlogged in courts across the country.  Business Standard (July 30, 2014)

Mediation was used in a new forum in India to efficiently resolve a contentious land-use dispute that had been pending in various tribunals for a decade.  The Times of India (August 3, 2014)

The Bangalore Mediation Centre, in the third largest city in India, is now mediating 100 cases a day and settling over 60 per cent, with about 80 mediators.  The New Indian Express (August 4, 2014)

Mediation is a major benefit of a plan in Pattaya, Thailand, to provide community justice at the provincial level.  In Phuket, Thai officials held an annual informational event, Mediation 2014, to encourage mediation of civil lawsuits.  Pattaya Mail (July 11, 2014); Phuket Gazette (July 15, 2014)

The Financial Mediation Bureau resolved over 2,500 consumer complaints last year against financial service providers in Malaysia, with over a third reaching mediated resolutions and the rest being decided by the neutral or withdrawn.  The Star Online (August 3, 2014)

The Singapore Mediation Centre announced that it will focus on business disputes, using mediators who are subject matter experts in ten areas of industry specialization.  Channel NewsAsia (August 1, 2014)

                       

Keith Seat

Keith L. Seat is a full-time mediator and arbitrator who can effectively assist parties in resolving a wide range of telecommunications, antitrust and other commercial disputes. With over twenty years of legal experience as a mediator, arbitrator, litigator, advocate before executive branch agencies, and key staffer in the legislative and… MORE >