The Scottish Arbitration Survey publishes first report

Report No 1 covers the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. The report provides statistics relative to the occurrence of arbitrations in Scotland during that period; procedural trends and attitudes.

It also provides commentary on the evolution of arbitration since the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010, including the role of the courts and the developing scope for the use of arbitration in Scotland.

It is intended that Report No 1 will be followed by further surveys to provide statistical information on trends over time.

The next survey will be undertaken in early 2016 to cover the calendar year 2015.

It is hoped that the Survey will provide a valuable resource to arbitrators and practitioners, and to those who promote arbitration.

As well as providing a measure on the number of arbitrations occurring, it provides information into attitudes to dispute resolution and to the practice of arbitration that may be helpful to those who practice as decision makers and representatives in the resolution of disputes.

It will also provide guidance to those who do not participate directly in dispute resolution, but who advise clients on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, weighing up the factors in adopting an effective and commercially pragmatic approach.

The report is to be followed with presentations and discussions on the lessons that might be drawn from the information and statistics collected.

The report can be accessed here.