I am very pleased to be here to help launch Manchester County Court's free court-based Mediation Advice Service.
I want to talk briefly to you today about the advice service and why the Department, the Judiciary, and the Manchester Law Society have worked so hard to set it up.
The Department for Constitutional Affairs was created, less than a year ago, as the department for Justice, Rights and Democracy. My focus is on the public we serve and one of my key aims is improving access to justice, especially for the socially excluded. Proper access to justice can help prevent the disempowerment that comes from feeling that your rights are inadequately protected, and that there is nowhere or no-one to turn to for help. It can help stop debt or welfare concerns spiralling out of control. To do this we need to explore alternatives to court and tribunal based systems, which are quicker, cheaper, and less adversarial.
With this in mind, one of the Department's key Public Service Agreement Targets is to reduce the number of cases currently in court which could be resolved without recourse to courts. We are committed to enabling the resolution of civil disputes - quickly, effectively and in a manner and at a cost proportionate to the issues at stake. This will not compromise access to justice, but enhance it. Delivering justice encompasses more than just formal legal processes. In some cases, Justice may mean high-powered legal arguments and a judgment from a High Court Judge. In another case, it might just mean an apology.
We want to ensure that that people are not driven to litigation. A court hearing should be a last resort, not the only available option. That mediation can offer an alternative is not in question. It can achieve resolutions that are just as satisfactory, and often more satisfactory, than the outcome a court can provide. In fact, the Government has itself used mediation to successfully resolve its own disputes. Between April 2001 and June 2003, we estimate that we have saved more than £17 million of taxpayers money through the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution. So we know it can work.
The local Law Society scheme has been available for nearly 4 years. We know, as Judge Holman has just said, that take up has been fairly low. And we also know that mediation is still an unknown quantity to most of the public. They don't know what it has to offer them - how it can help them resolve their case. Often people think that the only way to achieve justice is through the courts.
To change this view, we are trying to find out how the courts can best promote mediation as an alternative. Some of you will know about the automatic referral scheme at Central London County Court where some cases will automatically be given a mediation appointment - unless, of course, the parties feel that mediation is inappropriate in their case. We are also about to conduct a thorough evaluation of the existing court based mediation schemes, so that we can see what works best and apply these lessons elsewhere.
And most importantly, we have set up here in Manchester - in partnership with the Judiciary, local mediation providers and court staff - the first Mediation Advice Service in the country. It is a free service for court users and for those who may want to explore the possibility of mediation before a claim is laid. It will advise on the suitability of mediation and if parties want to try mediation, an appointment can be arranged with a mediator from the local Manchester Law Society Panel.
I would like to introduce you to the people who will be providing the advice - Rosemary Hanna and Maz Iqbal. This occasion offers you the opportunity to talk to them and find out more about the scheme.
I know that the organisation and arrangements for the advice service have involved additional work for many people. I would like to thank His Honour Judge Holman and District Judge Rawkins, who I know have been closely involved in designing the scheme. The court staff here have demonstrated their commitment to customer service by working extremely hard to deliver the pilot on time. So thank you to all of the staff and in particular, Sue Lenihan, June Barr and Janet Ogden. I would also like to thank Fran Eccles and the Manchester Law Society, who have dedicated their time and energy to making this service available.
I have no doubt of your continued commitment and willingness to work together to provide the best possible service for your community. I wish you every success.