The model would be based on the way eBay resolves disputes and would work in parallel to the current court-based route. Professor Susskind chaired the independent Civic Justice Council which produced the report. That report will now be presented to government.
Milestone
The recommendations have been called an 'exciting milestone' by one of the most senior judges in the UK, Lord Dyson who is the Master of the Rolls. The online trading platform eBay resolves some 60m disputes a year in a low cost, online way. The proposals recommend setting up a three-tier system in which the first tier would focus on dispute resolution by the parties themselves, the second tier would involve experienced facilitators and the third tier would be the only one where judges were deciding cases. Online communication would be used in all three tiers - although judges might use phone hearings instead.
Rethink
Canada and the Netherlands are two countries which are seen as being ahead of the UK. Professor Susskind said: 'We should consider not simply improving our court system or even salvaging our traditional ways of resolving low-value claims. We should be prepared to rethink the way in which society handles civil disputes and problems.' Source: Financial Times
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