The various court guides contain sections on ADR. In particular the Commercial Court Guide contains a separate section on ADR and offers a form of working for an ADR Order (see below). The Chancery Court Guide contains general guidance similar to the passages set out below. In appropriate cases and with the agreement of all parties the Commercial Court will provide a without-prejudice, non-binding, early neutral evaluation (ENE) of a dispute or of particular issues. The guide is often a useful source of information whether or not your action is proceeding in the Commercial Court. The following passages concerning ADR are of particular interest:

G1.5..Parties who consider that ADR might be an appropriate means of resolving the dispute or particular issues in the dispute may apply for directions at any stage, including before service of the defence and before the case management conference.

G1.6..At the case management conference if it should appear to the judge that the case before him or any of the issues arising in it are particularly appropriate for an attempt at settlement by means of ADR but that the parties have not previously attempted settlement by such means, he may invite the parties to use ADR.

G1.7..The Judge may, if he considers it appropriate, adjourn the case for a specified period of time to encourage and enable the parties to use ADR. He may for this purpose extend the time for compliance by the parties or any of them with any requirement under the rules, the Guide or any order of the Court.

G1.8..The Judge may further consider in an appropriate case making an ADR Order in the terms set out in Appendix 7(see Appendix 2 below).