Page 124 - Solving Housing Disputes

30. The directions questionnaire for all tracks should require parties to state the
reasons why they do not wish to pursue ADR [3.47].

31. Where a fast-track or multi-track case is stayed for mediation, the CPRC
should consider the need for ongoing case management of the matter [3.48].

32. The CPRC and the Tribunal Procedure Committee should review all standard
directions which involve housing disputes to include a presumption for parties
to engage in ADR [3.49].

33. Legal aid practitioners should not have to obtain prior authority from the
Legal Aid Agency to engage in ADR but be free to pursue it as part of an
ordinary legal aid certificate [3.50].

34. ADR should be more strongly encouraged by procedure rules. The CPRC and
the Tribunal Procedure Committee ought to consider how rules could more
strongly favour a presumption of ADR early in the process. If those rules
change, tribunal and court case workers and/or judges should be able to direct
parties to engage in all forms of ADR, including in circumstances where
parties do not consent [3.55].
Homelessness

35. Local authorities must be accessible across multiple channels to ensure
vulnerable and digitally excluded people can get homelessness assistance.
Consideration should be given to strengthening the Homelessness Code of
Guidance to require a multi-channel, rather than digital by default approach
for applications [3.62].

36. Local authority online homelessness portals should be accessible and
navigable for lay users. They should feature prominent signposting to
independent advice and information, mobile accessibility for those for whom
devices are their only means of getting online, the ability to save and track
application progress, and screens with white space and easy read for those
with vision impairments and literacy problems [3.66].

37. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
should take the lead on best practice through digital design across local
authority homelessness portals [3.67].
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