17. In section 22A(1), after subsection (4) insert—
“(5) The prescriptive period calculated in relation to a relevant cross-border dispute for the purposes of this section is extended where the last day of the period would, apart from this subsection, fall—
(a)in the eight weeks after the date that a mediation in relation to the dispute ends;
(b)on the date that a mediation in relation to the dispute ends, or
(c)after the date when all of the parties to the dispute agree to participate in a mediation in relation to the dispute but before the date that such mediation ends.
(6) Where subsection (5) applies, the prescriptive period is extended so that it expires on the date falling 8 weeks after the date on which the mediation ends.
(7) For the purposes of subsections (5) and (6), a mediation ends on the date that any of the following occurs—
(a)all of the parties reach an agreement in resolution of the dispute;
(b)all of the parties agree to end the mediation;
(c)a party withdraws from the mediation, which is the date on which—
(i)a party informs all of the other parties of that party’s withdrawal,
(ii)in the case of a mediation involving 2 parties, 14 days expire after a request made by one party to the other party seeking confirmation of whether the other party has withdrawn, if the other party does not respond in that period, or
(iii)in the case of a mediation involving more than 2 parties, a party informs all of the remaining parties that the party received no response in the 14 days after that party’s request to another party seeking confirmation of whether the other party had withdrawn; or
(d)a period of 14 days expires after the date on which the mediator’s tenure ends (whether by reason of death, resignation or otherwise), if a replacement mediator has not been appointed.
(8) In this section—
“the Directive” means Directive 2008/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21st May 2008 on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters;
“mediation” and “mediator” have the meanings given by Article 3 of the Directive; and
“relevant cross-border dispute” means a cross-border dispute within the meaning given by Article 2 of the Directive—
which is about an obligation to which a prescriptive period applies by virtue of this section, and
to which the Directive applies.”.
Section 22A was inserted by the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c.43) section 6(6) and Schedule 1, paragraph 10 and amended by the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 1), section 23(5).