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Reasonable   Minds  
  can agree to differ  

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Introduction

The Duty to Mediate
ADR is not mandatory
The effect of CPR 1.3
Government Pledge
Case management powers

Pre-action protocols
Protocols Practice Direction
Failure to comply
References to ADR in the protocols
Professional Negligence Protocol
Court Guides

ADR Orders
Commercial Court Order
Clinical Negligence Order

Effect of failing to comply with an ADR Order

Costs Sanctions and Burden of Proof


Without Prejudice Correspondence

Factors indicating refusal was unreasonable
Nature of the Dispute
Merits of the Case
Use of other settlement methods
Costs of Mediating
Effect of Delay
Whether the mediation had a reasonable prospect of success

Relevant Court Decisions
Cases penalising claimants for failing to negotiate
Cases penalising parties for failing to mediate
Cases where a refusal to mediate was reasonable

Appendix 1
Appendix 2

 

Merits of the Case

The fact that a party unreasonably believes that his case is watertight is no justification for refusing mediation.  But the fact that a party reasonably believes that he has a watertight case may well be sufficient justification for a refusal to mediate.  Hurst v Leeming is incorrect in suggesting the contrary.  The courts should be aware that large organisations, especially public bodies, are vulnerable to pressure from claimants, who, having weak cases, invite mediation as a tactical ploy.

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