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Simplified arbitration to cut cost and length of rural
A new simplified arbitration service has being launched to reduce the cost & time taken to resolve disputes disputes over rural rent reviews. The service can also be used for other rural sector disputes.
T he Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors( RICS) Simplified Arbitration Service promises to be quick, transparent, even-handed and inexpensive. The service has been developed by the RICS Rural ADR Working Party, a group of experienced surveyors and lawyers led by Shropshire surveyor Philip Meade of Davis Meade Property Consultants at Oswestry.
“ Dispute resolution is a vital part of both domestic and international law,” said Philip.“ Disputes over rent can be lengthy and expensive and we wanted to develop a system that makes the process more efficient and cost effective.”
The RICS Simplified Arbitration Service is:
A much more informal and relaxed procedure for dealing with disputes compared to courts and traditional approaches to arbitration.
An uncomplicated and straightforward process, which still allows both parties a reasonable opportunity to have their say.
Speedy and low-priced. The
parties will know how long it is going to take to get a decision, and how much they will have to pay.
Use of the Simplified Arbitration System must be a joint decision between both parties in the dispute and they must both agree to abide by the rules published by RICS.
If both parties agree to use SAS, arbitrators will sign up to a fixed timetable and costs regime, with aims to reach a decision within 28 days, at a maximum cost to each party of £ 2,000.
As long as parties abide by the
SAS procedural rules, the arbitrator will only charge for three days work at £ 1000 per day( plus VAT). If the parties choose to have a hearing / meeting, the arbitrator may charge an additional fee up to £ 1000. These costs will be shared equally by the parties, regardless of the outcome.
Martin Burns, RICS Head of Alternative Dispute Resolution Research and Development, confirmed that the service is up and running and parties can cite the procedure in tenancy agreements immediately.
Response to confirmation of avian influenza found in a wild duck in Wales
The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has confirmed( 22 December) a finding of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 in a wild duck, a wigeon, in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.
T he Prevention Zones( housing orders) previously announced on Tuesday 6 December remain in place in England, Scotland and Wales. Poultry and captive bird keepers should continue to house their birds, where practicable, maintain their biosecurity and remain vigilant about the health of their birds.
Earlier this week steps were taken to further protect poultry and captive birds by introducing a temporary suspension on gatherings of poultry. Poultry keepers, including those with fewer than 50 birds, are encouraged to provide details of their flocks to the Poultry Register. This will ensure they can be contacted immediately in the
event of an avian disease outbreak so that they can take action to protect their flock at the earliest opportunity.
Members of the public are encouraged to report dead wild waterfowl( swans, geese or ducks) or gulls( species known to be infected in Europe), or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, to the APHA helpline on 03459
335577.
The advice from Public Health England( PHE) is that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency( FSA) has stated that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers. Thoroughly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
06 | Farming Monthly | January 2017 www. farmingmonthly. co. uk