Resolving disputes outside of the Court System

Housing Rights is holding a seminar to explore the key issues relevant to establishing an Independent Housing Panel for Northern Ireland, as recently recommended in the Department for Communities proposals for the Private Rented Sector.

By examining the mechanisms of alternative dispute resolution currently being used in Scotland and in the south of Ireland the event aims to stimulate discussion around the key principles which should inform the potential development of an Independent Housing Panel in Northern Ireland. This discussion will be of significant interest to both the housing and legal worlds and will also feature contributions from Department for Communities and the Department of Justice.

The speakers

Aileen Devanny, President of Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) will be sharing the Scottish experience of how the Housing and Property Chamber (formerly the Private Rented Housing Panel) helps to resolve disputes that arise between tenants and landlords.

Rosalind Carroll, Director of Residential Tenancies Board will focus on the experience of the dispute resolution services offered by the Residential Tenancies Board in the south of Ireland.

Brian Thompson, University of Liverpool will share learning from resolving administrative disputes which could inform the discussion around the key principles for a dispute resolution service for the private rented sector in Northern Ireland.

We also have contributions from Eilish O’Neill of the Department for Communities and Jane Maguire from the Department of  Justice to provide the context for the establishment of such a panel in Northern Ireland.

The event will also allow opportunities for questions and contributions from attendees through question and answer sessions chaired by Housing Rights Board member, Ursula O’Hare.

Book your place

The seminar,  Resolving Disputes outside of the Court System, will take place at the Inn of Court, Belfast at 3pm on the 15th February.  The price is £25 per person and can be booked online or by emailing [email protected].