In Hawaii a law has recently been introduced that requires complaints against engineers, surveyors and landscape architects registered in Hawaii to be filed first with the state’s Design Claim Conciliation Panel. The introduction of this law will reduce the number of frivolous and fraudulent lawsuits against professionals.
The state of Hawaii has taken a great step towards reduce the burden on the judicial system. Many countries and states have realised that Arbitration and Concilliation is a far better alternative for complainants and professionals to settle disputes. This method of dispute resolution reduces costs and time spent for both parties to settle disputes.
I foresee that this approach of dispute resolution will become popular with states and other countries as they realize that courts are often bogged down with claims that could have been easily solved with a mediator. Changes like this also allow professionals to concentrate on practicing their profession and less on defending themselves in court which is often costly and unnecessary.
Read more from the press release issued by Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
