Since the start of 2025, I have continued to champion reforms that make our justice system more efficient, transparent, and accessible. A key focus of mine has been promoting mediation and alternative dispute resolution as a way to reduce court backlogs and improve outcomes for individuals and businesses. I have raised this repeatedly in Parliament, including during debates on the Covid-19 Inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and court sitting days, where I highlighted the potential of mediation to ease pressure on the system and deliver swifter justice.
In May, I pressed the Government on the use of mediation in trade negotiations and in Crown Court backlog reduction strategies, arguing that structured mediation could help resolve disputes faster and more fairly. I have also submitted a series of written parliamentary questions to departments including Justice, Business and Trade, and the Cabinet Office, asking for assessments on the use of mandatory mediation in tribunals such as the Competition Appeal Tribunal
My advocacy is rooted in the belief that mediation is not just a procedural tool—it is a way to empower individuals, reduce adversarial conflict, and make justice more humane and efficient. I will continue to push for its wider adoption across government and legal frameworks.
You can see an updated list of Julian's spoken contributions on this topic here, and written questions here.
Julian held the position of Chair of the board of trustees for the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution Limited (CEDR) from December 2024 until August 2025. This was an unpaid role.