Mediation in the News

What changed

LexisNexis has highlighted the introduction of the 2026 DIFC Arbitration and Mediation Law as part of its weekly international arbitration update. This development reflects a broader trend of jurisdictions modernizing their legal frameworks to better integrate mediation and arbitration processes. The update also covers recent international case law and procedural changes across multiple global jurisdictions.

What changed

The Portadown District Master of the Orange Order stated that the organization has never shied away from mediation regarding the contentious Drumcree parade route. This follows calls from a local residents' group for the appointment of an international mediator to resolve the long-standing dispute. The Parades Commission is currently reviewing the situation to determine the status of upcoming marches.

What changed

Parties involved in the long-standing Drumcree parade dispute have been formally offered a mediation process to seek a resolution. TIDES Mediation NI has been appointed to facilitate these discussions as stakeholders engage with the Parades Commission.

What changed

The 2026 Chambers guide for France highlights a significant push by the Ministry of Justice and commercial courts to encourage ADR to alleviate court congestion. Additionally, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) announced it will establish an operational presence in France, further cementing the country's status as a hub for international arbitration and mediation.

What changed

The government is actively seeking to utilize Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve significant revenue-related litigation involving large companies and state-owned entities. This initiative aims to settle disputes stuck in the court system to achieve a 45% growth target in revenue collection for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

What changed

The upcoming Dutch Arbitration Day 2026 will address critical challenges in European arbitration, including the impact of recent CJEU rulings and EU Council regulations on economic sanctions. The event will feature panels on the intersection of anti-suit injunctions and European investment law.

What changed

New developments in EU-level consultations are investigating the utility of harmonized rules for the amicable resolution of disputes between investors and public authorities. The initiative seeks to determine if non-adjudicative ADR, including mediation, can be more effectively utilized to prevent and resolve these complex cross-border conflicts.

What changed

UK Mediation has announced a new session of their 'Resolution Roundtable' series, scheduled for September 2026. This event focuses on current trends and practical challenges in the mediation field.

What changed

The Lord Chancellor, David Lammy, chaired the inaugural meeting of the English Law Promotion Panel. The panel, which includes representatives from major legal and dispute resolution institutions, aims to identify opportunities to grow the UK’s £42.6bn legal services sector, with a specific focus on promoting English law and its dispute resolution capabilities globally.

What changed

The Irish Minister for Justice has rejected a formal request from the Law Society of Ireland to appoint a mediator to resolve a long-standing dispute regarding a new fee structure for criminal-defence solicitors. The rejection has led to expressions of disappointment from practitioners who supported mediation as a path to resolving the standoff.

What changed

Alaris announced a US$95 million investment into Nexus, a firm specializing in independent clinical reviews and healthcare dispute resolution services. This major capital injection signals growing institutional confidence in the scalability and commercial value of specialized, independent ADR services in the healthcare sector.

What changed

Legislative analysis confirmed that California Assembly Bill 1950 has officially passed through the legislative cycle and been enacted, authorising County of Los Angeles Superior Court judges to refer civil cases into mediation regardless of the monetary amount in controversy. The scheme, effective ahead of full pilot implementation, entitles referred litigants to up to three hours of remote or in-person court-connected mediation at no cost. The measure is designed as a direct statutory mechanism to alleviate the court's 67% increase in civil filings.

What changed

China released its 15th five-year plan for intellectual property protection (2026-2030), which specifically prioritizes the refinement of IP rules for AI and algorithms. The plan mandates the creation of a cross-border IP dispute case database and aims to improve international dispute resolution mechanisms to better manage risks in the digital economy.

What changed

The United Arab Emirates has officially deposited its instrument of accession to the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (the Singapore Convention). This action makes international commercial settlement agreements resulting from mediation directly enforceable across UAE courts and signatory jurisdictions without the need to start litigation from scratch. The formal accession solidifies the UAE's position as a major regional hub for international alternative dispute resolution.

What changed

The central bank has introduced a formal policy framework for third-party organisations to conduct mediation for loan recovery. The rules mandate strict professional standards, requiring mediator panels to include legal and accounting experts with at least 10 years of experience, while explicitly excluding Politically Exposed Persons.

What changed

A detailed legal analysis of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) 2026 Mediation Rules was released, highlighting significant shifts toward electronic filing and digital proceedings. The rules now include default provisions for language and venue when agreements are silent, alongside a new hybrid fee model for mediators. These changes reflect a decade of progress in alternative dispute resolution within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

What changed

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) issued a formal warning regarding documents misusing the name of a legitimate solicitor, Elizabeth Murphy, to falsely claim affiliation with the 'IMC International Mediation Center'. The scam involves fraudulent correspondence that could mislead parties into engaging with an unauthorised entity. This alert highlights a growing trend of identity theft within the legal and ADR sectors.

What changed

Bangladesh Bank has officially formulated a comprehensive policy titled 'Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mediator' to expedite the recovery of loans. This policy aims to provide a structured mechanism for resolving financial disputes outside of traditional court litigation.

What changed

A new opinion piece published by the Civil Mediation Council discusses the Law Commission's report regarding the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. The article critiques the current approach to property disputes and advocates for more robust mediation interventions.

What changed

The UK government has released a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This framework sets out the government's planning policies for England and how they should be applied, which often serves as a catalyst for development-related disputes.