Sir Julian Smith

Sir Julian Smith

Conservative — Skipton and Ripon

Speaking in the House of Commons on 16 December 2025

Debate

Mandatory Mediation

Contribution

Time pressure is one of the best routes to encourage alternative dispute resolution, as the Minister knows, but in the commercial court in 2024 the median time to judgment was 786 days. The UK law sector is up against huge pressures from Singapore and the middle east, which are offering six months to judgment and six months for appeal. May I urge Ministers to look at the competitive challenges facing UK law against such tough international competition?

More from Sir Julian Smith

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Sir Julian Smith's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Sir Julian Smith report card.