Innovative new international family law arbitration scheme announced

IFLAS will use arbitration, which is an out-of-court resolution system, sometimes known as private judging. Arbitrators are trained to adjudicate and resolve disputes. Many will be retired or part-time judges. All IFLAS arbitrators will be experienced lawyers used to dealing with international family law disputes.

Among the benefits of arbitration are that the parties can choose their own preferred arbitrator as appropriate for their dispute, have it undertaken very quickly, have flexibility in the way the matter is conducted (including use of technology instead of actual hearings), with a less adversarial approach and with the significant benefit of complete privacy and confidentiality. A number of countries now use arbitration in family matters.

The criteria is which country has the closest connection with the couple and the family. This is similar to the law used in many countries around the world. The arbitrator would consider all of the circumstances and the various connections. The arbitrators have the benefit of research of a leading international family law firm on the forum laws across many countries in respect of closest connection.

Patrick Parkinson co-founder of the Scheme commented:

'The use of an arbitrator from a third country is a key part of the Scheme. At the moment, forum disputes are heavily skewed to whichever party is able to manoeuvre the forum dispute to be heard in their country. Having a third country arbitrator is like having an umpire in a sports event who is not from either of the competing countries. This is impossible under any national  justice system, but for the first time is possible with IFLAS.'

The Scheme will start up the arbitration, including arranging an arbitrator as required. It will result in an arbitration decision. The parties would agree not to pursue any other court proceedings pending resolution of the arbitration and to abide by the outcome. It is anticipated that national court schemes will adjourn proceedings while the forum arbitration is underway.

Crucial to the scheme is an online questionnaire, which parties can access on the IFLAS website, intended to elicit all the relevant facts for forum dispute. Drawn up by leading practitioners, it will help the arbitrator resolve the closest connection. By using digital technology to enhance the arbitration process, it will be quicker, cheaper and more open and transparent than current justice systems.