Motor Ombudsman marks five years of UK dispute resolution

The Motor Ombudsman has introduced a dedicated Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) FAQs and tips section on its website to mark the fifth anniversary of the ADR Regulations coming into force.

ADR Regulations came into force in the UK on July 9, 2015.

The new online resources provide a portal for consumers and businesses to access important information on the ADR process and some of its key benefits.

Key ADR tips have also been introduced to take into consideration when looking to resolve a complaint using this non-legal route.

Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director at The Motor Ombudsman, said: “To commemorate the first half-decade of the ADR Regulations being in force, we wanted to use the occasion to create dedicated ADR spaces on our website, which are specific to our consumer and businesses audiences, but also to shine the spotlight on ADR’s important role as a cost-effective, fair and impartial channel to resolve disputes in the automotive sector.”

In light of the coronavirus crisis, The Motor Ombudsman upgraded its online Knowledge Base with a new category to help motorists anser frequently asked queries on car ownership, vehicle maintenance and dispute resolution. 

Since launching in November 2016, The Motor Ombudsman has nearly tripled its headcount and invested heavily in its IT infrastructure in response to the growing awareness of the availability of ADR.

Fennell, said: “It has been interesting to delve through the archives and to look back at the last five years to see just how far our organisation has come, and how our service has evolved from being an ADR provider under Motor Codes to our current status as an Ombudsman.

“It is also satisfying to see that we have helped many hundreds of consumers and businesses to settle their motoring disputes, which may otherwise have ended up in court.”