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Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [HL]

My Lords, I support the amendment so eloquently introduced by my noble friend. There are two reasons why the amendment is of particular merit. The first reason, in my view, is that it falls directly in line with the philosophy that Sir Andrew Leggatt was seeking to promote in his excellent report—that is to say, that it is desirable that the tribunal system should be as informal and flexible as possible so that those who are its consumers feel at ease in utilising it. I certainly take the view that mediation is a very important component of that approach. In a sense, if such problems can be mediated, that is much better than having to go through the tribunal system itself. The second reason why I think the amendment adds to the legislation—and here I am merely reinforcing a point made so powerfully by my noble friend—is that there are occasions when mediation can be forced on individuals in circumstances where they do not entirely understand what it can do for them. It is extremely helpful, therefore, to have the circumstances in which mediation would be appropriate, and also the terms on which it is to be provided, set out clearly on the face of the Bill. In that sense, as my noble friend said on more than one occasion in his intervention, it has constitutional importance. I am in favour of the amendment and I hope the Minister will be supportive as well.