ADR Champions
A practical way to build ADR capability
ADR is now a regular part of civil litigation strategy, particularly in personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Legal teams need to understand when mediation, neutral evaluation, arbitration or a combined process may be appropriate, and how to respond when ADR is suggested by the court, the opponent or the client.
The ADR Champions programme is designed to help firms embed that knowledge internally. A firm appoints an ADR Champion who becomes a trained point of contact for colleagues and a link between the firm and Trust ADR.
Who should be appointed as an ADR Champion?
An ADR Champion is usually a senior lawyer, associate, partner or experienced practitioner involved in personal injury or clinical negligence claims. Firms may appoint one ADR Champion across the organisation, or one for each office, team or department.
The right person is someone who is interested in ADR, understands the firm’s claims work and can act as a practical internal resource for colleagues.
What the ADR Champion does
The ADR Champion acts as the firm’s internal point person for mediation and wider ADR. Their role may include helping colleagues think through whether a case is suitable for mediation, identifying when neutral evaluation may assist, signposting training, sharing updates and liaising with Trust ADR where specialist input is required.
The role is intended to support everyday case management. It should not create unnecessary processes. It gives colleagues somewhere to go when ADR questions arise.
How Trust ADR Supports The Champion
Trust ADR can support ADR Champions with resources, training materials, case law and procedural updates, access to experienced neutrals and practical input on live case questions where appropriate. The programme can also support internal training requirements by giving firms access to ADR materials, updates and specialist input that can be shared with colleagues. Where available, optional monthly check-ins and an annual ADR Champions conference can also help firms keep pace with developments in ADR practice. This gives the Champion a reliable source of specialist support without requiring every lawyer in the firm to become an ADR expert.
Why The Programme Helps Firms
The programme can help firms develop consistent ADR knowledge across teams. This is useful where a team of lawyers is handling cases at different stages, with different levels of mediation experience.
It can also support better client advice. When a client asks whether mediation is appropriate, whether a refusal may carry risk, or how ADR compares with a JSM, the firm has a trained internal point of reference.
A Train-The-Trainer Model
The ADR Champions approach is cost-effective because one person can receive updates, materials and support, then share relevant information internally. Larger firms may choose multiple Champions to cover different offices or departments.
This model is particularly useful for firms handling a mix of high-volume PI claims, serious injury matters and clinical negligence disputes.
Support For Live Case Situations
ADR questions often arise under pressure. A case may be approaching trial, an opponent may propose mediation, a court may encourage ADR, or a client may want to avoid further delay. An ADR Champion can help colleagues respond quickly and constructively.
Where appropriate, Trust ADR can provide access to specialist neutrals for practical discussion about process options, suitability and next steps.
Supporting compliance & case strategy
The programme reflects the growing importance of ADR within civil procedure and case management. It helps firms make ADR part of normal case thinking, rather than an occasional or last-minute issue.
The aim is not to impose mediation in every case. It is to help legal teams recognise the right process at the right point and explain that choice clearly.
Trusted By Legal Professionals
Proof that effective mediation is not only about settlement, but about how the process feels
FAQs
An ADR Champion is a named lawyer within a firm who acts as an internal point of contact for mediation and wider ADR questions.
Yes. Firms may appoint one Champion per office, team or department where that is more practical.
Yes. The Champion can access resources and, where appropriate, specialist input from Trust ADR on practical ADR questions.
Resources may include training materials, updates, access to neutrals and practical guidance on mediation, evaluation and arbitration processes.
The programme helps firms keep ADR under active consideration as part of case management. It supports lawyers in recognising when mediation, neutral evaluation or another ADR process may be appropriate, and in responding constructively where ADR is raised by the court, an opponent or a client.
Make An Enquiry
Share a few details about the claim, the parties and the stage of the case. We will come back with a suggested ADR route and the next practical step.
Initial Conversation
Tell us about the claim, the parties and the stage you are at.
Mediator Selection
You select a suitable independent specialist mediator.
Preparation
Pre-mediation discussions help clarify issues and prepare the day properly.
Mediation Day
A structured process focused on helping parties reach resolution, often within a single day.