Thanks, Jim. Good to have the contrasting views. I am, however, with you on the need for and importance of in person hearings. Sure, we can all "manage" otherwise to some degree if needed. But, it's far from ideal (and I’m sceptical about some of the efficiency claims too). My friends in the UK who have done Skype hearings in the Commercial Courts are all bemoaning those. Consistent view seems to be that they take far longer/are much more tiring for all and advocacy gets lost. I don't think arbitration is the silver bullet either.
Rebecca Rose
Bankside Chambers