The use of arbitration and mediation in the UK has risen dramatically in the wake of the financial crisis, according to research published by a new independent body of senior City figures.

The report, 'Dispute Resolution in London and the UK 2010′, which was released yesterday (20 September), is the first report to be published by TheCityUK's legal services and dispute resolution group, which is chaired by Serle Court's Khawar Qureshi QC (pictured).

Figures contained within the report show that the total number of disputes resolved through arbitration and mediation in the UK reached 34,541 in 2009, a 78% increase on the 2007 figure of 19,384.

The report shows that disputes mainly involving international parties increased by 59% from 3,339 in 2007 to 5,297 in 2009, while the number of disputes referred to the London Court of International Arbitration more than doubled over the two-year period, rising from 137 to 285.

Qureshi said: "The CityUK report provides a valuable insight into the UK's dispute resolution sector, and confirms London's pre-eminent position for international business disputes. The data in the report shows that the alternative dispute resolution sector has grown significantly in the aftermath of the financial crisis."

He added: "In addition, the new state of the art Business, Property and Commercial Court to be housed in the Rolls Building in London, scheduled to become operative in early summer 2011, will greatly enhance the UK's attraction as an international centre for litigation."

TheCityUK, which was established in May with the support of the Government's City of London Corporation, aims to promote the UK financial and professional services industries.