This book examines the role, the general framework and the empirical effectiveness of the main alternative dispute resolution tools (administrative appeals, mediation, and ombudsman) in administrative matters, within the broader context of the administrative justice system. The book uses approaches from the fields of law, public administration, public policy and political science to assess the importance of different instruments for alternative dispute resolution, with an emphasis on administrative appeals.

Offers an account of ODR for consumers in the EU context, presenting a comprehensive investigation of the development of ODR for business to consumer disputes within the EU. This book examines the role of both the European legislator with the Mediation Directive and the English judiciary in encouraging the use of mediation.

Originally available as two separate volumes, Intersentia's Civil and Commercial Mediation in Europe is now available as a two volume set. *** About Volume I on National Mediation Rules and Procedures: Mediation is becoming an increasingly important tool for resolving civil and commercial disputes. Although it has been long since recognized in many legal systems, in recent years it has received an important boost and is currently one of the most topical issues in the field of dispute resolution. The European Directive 2008/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21.5.2008 on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters, prescribes a set of minimum common rules on mediation for all EU Member States, with the exception of Denmark. This book examines the current legal framework in every EU Member State regarding mediation in civil and commercial matters, as well as the way in which the Directive has been, or is expected to be, implemented in the near future. It is written by renowned specialists on mediation in Europe and provides an exhaustive account for both scholars and practitioners in Europe and beyond the continent. Every chapter on national law analyzes: both out-of-court and court-annexed mediation in the existing legal framework * the areas of law covered by mediation * the value and formal requirements of the agreement to submit any dispute to mediation * personal features and requirements for mediators * procedural requirements in the mediation procedure * the relationship between the mediator and public authorities * the outcome of the mediation procedure * in the scenario in which a mediation settlement is reached, its requirements and effects. *** About Volume II on Cross-Border Mediation: Mediation plays a leading role within the movement of Alternative Dispute Resolution after centuries in which for several reasons the State and State courts were regarded as the only available instrument to ensure access to justice to citizens. In the European Union the institution of mediation has received much support in the form of Directive 2008/52/EC which sets forth a minimum common legal framework for mediation in the Member States. The 2008 Directive has finally been implemented in the Member States and this book provides the much needed in-depth analysis of the status of the mediation regimes in the European Union. The analysis covers the legal regimes of the Member States set up for cross-border and national mediation. This volume includes national reports on cross-border mediation including in-depth information on all the relevant aspects of cross-border mediation: the notion of cross-border mediation, the law applicable to the mediation clause, the mediation proceedings and the content of the settlement reached by the parties. Special attention is of course given to the recognition and enforcement in the European Union of settlements reached in other Member States and outside Europe. In addition the role of mediators and requirements to become a mediator are examined. This book provides a unique picture of the legal situation in the European Union for cross-border mediation. It is an invaluable instrument for those who want to know more about this complex topic or want to become a mediator in Europe themselves.

Consumer out-of-court redress in the European Union is experiencing a significant transformation; indeed the current changes are the most important that have occurred in the history of the EU. This is due to the recent implementation of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Directive 2013/11/EU and the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Regulation (EU) 2013/524. The Directive ensures the availability of quality ADR schemes and sets information obligations on businesses, and the Regulation enables the resolution of consumer disputes through a pan European ODR platform. The New Regulatory Framework for Consumer Dispute Resolution examines the impact of the new EU law in the field of consumer redress. Part I of the volume examines the new European legal framework and the main methods of consumer redress, including mediation, arbitration, and ombudsman schemes. Part II analyses the implementation of the ADR Directive in nine Member States with very different legal cultures in consumer redress, namely: Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK, as well as the distinct approach taken in the US. Part III evaluates new trends in consumer ADR (CDR) by identifying best practices and looking at future trends in the field. In particular, it offers a vision of the future of CDR which is more than a mere dispute resolution tool, it poses a model on dispute system design for CDR, it examines the challenges of cross-border disputes, it proposes a strategy to promote mediation, and it identifies good practices of CDR and collective redress. The book concludes by calling for the mandatory participation of traders in CDR.

The promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms is strongly linked to the idea of justice in the 21st century. National and international legislators increasingly offer new responses in this area, with the aim of providing citizens with the opportunity to resolve their disputes outside State courts. Indeed, the global notion of ADR includes a multiplicity of institutions which have in common the purpose of facilitating the settlement of disputes outside courts. However, such generic references to ADR mechanisms, as well as the perceived centrality of the European approach, obscure important differences in the use, regulation, and underlying philosophy of ADR in many countries of the world. This book focuses on a set of countries which accounts for more than half of international world trade. It examines the various ADR devices present in relevant countries, including the US, Australia, China, England, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. The book provides an in-depth analysis of the regulation of ADR in all these countries. Every chapter on national law analyzes subjects covered by ADR devices, the existing legal regime, and its solutions and problems. Written by leading practitioners and scholars, the book provides a clear image of the existing framework from a legal, theoretical, and practical standpoint. It will be essential for all those wanting to understand the reality of ADR in some of the most economically important countries of the world. [Subject: Alternative Dispute Resolution, International Law, Comparative Law, Commercial Law]

The use of new information and communication technologies both inside the courts and in private online dispute resolution services is quickly changing everyday conflict management. However, the implications of the increasingly disruptive role of technology in dispute resolution remain largely undiscussed. In this book, assistant professor of law and digitalisation Riikka Koulu examines the multifaceted phenomenon of dispute resolution technology, focusing specifically on private enforcement, which modern technology enables on an unforeseen scale. The increase in private enforcement confounds legal structures and challenges the nation-state’s monopoly on violence. And, in this respect, the author argues that the technology-driven privatisation of enforcement – from direct enforcement of e-commerce platforms to self-executing smart contracts in the blockchain – brings the ethics of law’s coercive nature out into the open. This development constitutes a new, and dangerous, grey area of conflict management, which calls for transparency and public debate on the ethical implications of dispute resolution technology.

The third edition of EU Administrative Law provides comprehensive coverage of the administrative system in the EU and the principles of judicial review that apply in this area. This revised edition provides important updates on each area covered, including new case law; institutional developments; and EU legislation. These changes are located within the framework of broader developments in the EU. The chapters in the first half of the book deal with all the principal variants of the EU administrative regime. Thus there are chapters dealing with the history and taxonomy of the EU administrative regime; direct administration; shared administration; comitology; agencies; social partners; and the open method of coordination. The coverage throughout focuses on the legal regime that governs the particular form of administration and broader issues of accountability, drawing on literature from political science as well as law. The focus in the second part of the book shifts to judicial review. There are detailed chapters covering all principles of judicial review and the discussion of the law throughout is analytical and contextual. It begins with the principles that have informed the development of EU judicial review. This is followed by a chapter dealing with the judicial system and the way in which reform could impact on the subject matter of the book. There are then chapters dealing with competence; access; transparency; process; law, fact and discretion; rights; equality; legitimate expectations; two chapters on proportionality; the precautionary principle; two chapters on remedies; and the Ombudsman.

Whether the and‘Aand’ stands for and‘appropriateand’, and‘amicableand’, or and‘alternativeand’, all out of court dispute resolution modes, collected under the banner term and‘ADRand’, aim to assist the business world in overcoming relational differences in a truly manageable way. The first edition of this book (2006) contributed to a global awareness that ADR is important in its own right, and not simply as a substitute for litigation or arbitration. Now, drawing on a wealth of new sources and developments, including the flourishing of hybrid forms of ADR, the subject matter has been largely augmented and expanded on two fronts: in-depth analysis (both descriptive and comparative) of methodology, expectations and outcomes and extended geographical coverage across all continents. As a result, in this book twenty-nine and‘intertwined but variegatedand’ essays (to use the editorand’s characterization) provide substantial insight in such specific topics as: ADRand’s flexible procedures as controlled by the parties; ADRand’s facilitation of the continuation of relations between the parties; privilege and confidentiality; involvement of non-legal professionals; the identity and the role of the and‘neutraland’ as well as the role of the arbitrator; the implementation of ICC and other international ADR rules; the workings of Dispute Boards and the role of ADR in securing investment and other specific objectives. In its compound thesis and– growing in relevance every day and– that numerous dispute resolution methods exist whose goals and developments are varied but fundamentally complementary, the multifaceted approach presented here is of immeasurable value to any business party, particularly at the international level. Practitioners faced with drafting a dispute resolution clause in a contract, or dealing with a dispute that has arisen, will find expert guidance here, and academics will expand their awareness of the issues raised by ADR, in particular as it relates to arbitration. A broad cross section of interested professionals will discover ample material for comparative study of how disputes are approached and resolved in numerous countries and cultures.

A trenchant critique of developments in civil justice that questions modern orthodoxy and points to a downgrading of civil justice.