Mediation option for legal disputes

Lawyers will be obliged to advise their clients to consider mediation to resolve legal disputes, under new legislation outlined by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald yesterday.

The Mediation Bill, being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, requires solicitors and barristers to advise parties to disputes to consider utilising mediation as a means of resolving them.

Where court proceedings are launched, it will also oblige parties to proceedings to confirm to the court that they have been advised of this process and have considered using mediation as a means of resolving the dispute.