Context
Discussion on the potential merits of mandatory mediation, particularly addressing delays in the commercial court.
Question
Time pressure is one of the best routes to encourage alternative dispute resolution, as the Minister knows, but in the commercial court in 2024 the median time to judgment was 786 days. The UK law sector is up against huge pressures from Singapore and the middle east, which are offering six months to judgment and six months for appeal. May I urge Ministers to look at the competitive challenges facing UK law against such tough international competition?
Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)
The right hon. Member raises a really good point. Such delays are depriving our businesses of productivity and the ability to resolve disputes sooner. The successes we are seeing on small money claims under £10,000, which tend to affect small and medium-sized enterprises, show the progress that can be made. The other thing I will point him to is the launch of our English law promotion panel, which is looking at competitiveness with other jurisdictions.
Not addressed: The specific challenges faced by the UK legal sector due to delays in judgments were acknowledged but not directly addressed with a concrete solution or commitment.
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