Lady Hale, president of the UK Supreme Court, has officially opened The Resolution Centre in Belfast.

The centre was established by The Bar of Northern Ireland as Northern Ireland’s first and only dedicated centre for alternative dispute resolution, creating a venue in Belfast for mediators and arbitrators.

The official opening of the centre was organised to coincide with the UK Supreme Court’s historic visit to Belfast this week.

Lady Hale, who was welcomed to The Resolution Centre by The Bar of NI’s deputy chair Sarah Ramsey and chief executive David Mulholland, was accompanied by Deputy President Lord Mance, former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland Lord Kerr, Lord Hodge and Lady Black, where they unveiled a plaque officially marking the opening of the centre.

Speaking at the opening, Lady Hale said: “I congratulate The Bar of Northern Ireland for creating The Resolution Centre to cater for those circumstances where an opportunity exists for disputes to be properly settled by means of alternative dispute resolution.

“The venue has been specifically designed to support the resolution process and to create the potential for skilled mediators and arbitrators to find solutions for the parties involved. I wish The Resolution Centre every success for the future.”

Liam McCollum QC, chair of The Bar of Northern Ireland, said: “The creation of The Resolution Centre is good news for both local and prospective international clients as it provides another addition to the advantages that the jurisdiction can already offer to them.

“Clients already have direct access to a wide network of skilled local solicitors and the ability to engage the Bar’s existing expertise in providing trusted and independent advice and representation in court alongside the significantly lower cost of commercial litigation in Northern Ireland compared to other locations.

“The Bar of Northern Ireland are very grateful to the justices of the Supreme Court for visiting the centre and are honoured that Lady Hale has officially opened the centre as part of the Supreme Court’s historic visit to Belfast.”