Yesterday’s AGM was convened under the constitution of the DRS to elect a new chair, vice chair and board members.

Mr Speers is joined by Alva Brangam QC as vice chair, and board members:

The new board will consider the future direction of the Dispute Resolution Service and the strategy required to promote the DRS to practitioners and clients in Northern Ireland and further afield.

Delegates at the AGM also heard from District Judge Philip Gilpin and Joanne Cracknell from Willis Towers Watson on current developments in mediation.

Commenting afterawrds, Mr Speers said: “I am delighted to have been elected Chair and look forward to working with colleagues to promote the DRS to practitioners and to ensure the DRS is the preferred choice for consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland.”

Eileen Ewing, president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, added: “The Law Society remains proud that the DRS and its membership continues to be drawn from both parts of the legal profession in Northern Ireland.

“I am confident that today’s AGM, the new board and the strategy which will be put in place to promote the DRS to practitioners provides the right direction to take.”