A new arbitration service has been launched aimed at providing cheaper, earlier resolution of fundamental disputes in defamation actions.
The launch is taking place on Tuesday, 21 June 2011, of Early Resolution, the initiative of Sir Charles Gray, retired High Court judge and associate member of 5RB, and Alastair Brett, formerly of Times Newspapers Limited. It will offer a speedy and economic service of voluntary binding arbitration for key issues in libel disputes, such as the meaning of the words complained of and whether they are comment or fact.
Under the Scheme disputes will be referred to an expert Arbitrator or Panel within days of an arbitration agreement being signed by the parties. Early Resolution has assembled a team of libel experts to act as arbitrators. Its members include two retired Court of Appeal judges, Sir Brian Neill and Sir Henry Brooke, as well as all five silks from 5RB, Desmond Browne QC, Adrienne Page QC, James Price QC, Patrick Milmo QC and Mark Warby QC. The aim is to resolve key issues within an overall time of 28 days.
Visit their website for more information: Early Resolution
