Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a rapid acceleration towards methods of dispute resolution which enabled disputants to participate remotely. Whilst important research has been published on its impact on participants in court proceedings, very little empirical research has been conducted on the effect that the enforced pivot to online operation had on mediation. Drawing on data obtained from a survey of mediators registered with the Civil Mediation Council across England and Wales, this paper provides an insight into mediators’ experiences of conducting mediations online, including whether the necessary transition to remote mediation has had any impact on the number of mediations conducted, rates of settlement, and perceived levels of satisfaction of mediating parties. This data is used to establish whether there is a future for online mediation post COVID-19 and, if so, whether any areas of common best practice can be identified to optimise the way in which online mediations are conducted.