The Mediation Act 2017 came into force in Ireland on 1 January 2018 and fundamentally changed the landscape for business dispute resolution in this country. For the first time, mediation has a comprehensive statutory framework in Irish law — one that places it firmly at the centre of commercial dispute resolution practice. What Does the Mediation Act 2017 Do? The Act provides a statutory definition of mediation and mediators, establishes core principles of confidentiality and

Alternative dispute resolution — commonly known as ADR — refers to the range of processes available to resolve disputes outside the traditional court system. In Ireland, ADR has grown significantly in prominence since the Mediation Act 2017 came into force, and it is now embedded in both commercial practice and the Irish legal framework. Why ADR Matters for Irish Businesses Court litigation in Ireland is expensive, slow, and public. For businesses that depend on their reputat