Centre for Dispute Resolution launches at UCL Laws

UCL Laws is pleased to announce the launch of the Centre for Dispute Resolution, a new academic hub dedicated to promoting greater understanding, accessibility and development of dispute resolution to advance the rule of law for all.  

The new research centre – which launched in October 2025 – is led by Co-Directors Associate Professor John Sorabji and Professor David Ormerod, and brings together a wide range of internationally leading scholars from within the Faculty, as well as experienced and prestigious honorary academic staff and visiting members.  

Associate Professor Sorabji explained: “Effective dispute resolution is not only a central element through which access to justice is secured, it is a fundamental component of the rule of law. In launching this Centre we look forward to developing scholarly research, teaching and fruitful collaborations that promote and influence the fair and early resolution of disputes, and secure substantive justice for all.”  

The Centre’s programme of activities includes internal and external research seminars and lectures, convening scholars, policy makers and the judiciary whose work focuses on dispute resolution and its future development. The Centre is an academic member of the Civil Mediation Council and is partnering with the organisation to deliver its inaugural Academic Lecture, which will be hosted at UCL Faculty of Laws on 10 December 2025.