Written question asked by David Cairns (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 October 2002. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 October 2002 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, What role his Department plays in alternative means of dispute resolution. (Failed OPQ). - Includes ref to Civil Procedure Rules.

Answer: David Cairns: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what role his department plays in alternative means of dispute resolution [73615] Ms Rosie Winterton: The introduction of the Civil Procedure Rules in 1999 imposed, for the first time, a duty on courts to encourage and facilitate the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The Rules also seek to influence the behaviour of parties in the pre- litigation period through pre-action protocols, which further encourage parties to settle their disputes by using ADR. In March 2001 the Lord Chancellor announced that all Government Departments and their Agencies had pledged to consider and use ADR to resolve disputes involving them in all suitable cases, wherever the other party accepts it. In addition, a number of courts in England and Wales have set up court based pilot mediation schemes, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor.

Secondary information