On Tuesday, 30th July, the House of Lords held the second reading of the Arbitration Bill, where members discussed its key objectives. The Bill seeks to amend the Arbitration Act 1996, the primary legislation governing arbitration in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Arbitration is a widely-used alternative to traditional court litigation. Changes to the Act could change the balance between arbitration and litigation, influencing how disputes are resolved.
By reconsidering the legal framework for Arbitration, the Bill has the potential to improve processes. making arbitration more effective and, leading to fewer cases being litigated in court. This shift could reduce litigation costs for all parties and increase flexibility in dispute resolution.
However, any amendments that overly favour arbitration might limit access to court solutions, affecting the rights of parties who might otherwise choose litigation.
As we watch the debate on the Arbitration Bill, it’s exciting to think about how these changes could reshape the way disputes are resolved and potentially make the whole process smoother and reduce costs. Keep an eye on how this might affect your future interactions with the legal system!