I am qualified as a civil and commercial mediator to CMC (the UK’s mediation organisation) standards.
My broad commercial experience helps me quickly grasp the key issues. Having been a SME CEO myself I am well aware of the pressures of the job and the stress that it can cause.
I’m here to help. For a free, no obligation chat please contact me.
So What Is Mediation?
Mediation is an increasingly popular method of resolving disputes without going to court.
The process is confidential and without prejudice (meaning that nothing said can be used in any court). A solution is reached with the active agreement of all parties – there is no risk of having an unacceptable outcome imposed. This makes mediation low risk – the worst outcome is that the dispute remains unresolved.
The solutions can be very imaginative and resolve wider problems than just the matter in dispute.
Mediation is fast – typically solutions are found and agreed in one (intense) day. 80% of mediations result in an agreement. There is no backlog of mediation. Which means that you can get on with your life as opposed to enduring perhaps 2 years of stress while you wait for a day in court.
Mediation works well on Zoom, which has become the default method and, of course, removes the hassle and cost of travelling.
What Disputes Can Be Solved by Mediation?
Pretty much anything. My qualification and experience is in civil and commercial, – including workplace mediation. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Commercial disputes.
- Shareholder disputes.
- Director disputes.
- Personal insolvency.
- Corporate insolvency.
- Landlord and tenant.
- Boundaries, rights of way etc.
- Employment.
- Inheritance and wealth.
- Commercial.
I do not mediate in family law or divorces.
How Mediation Works.
All the parties to a dispute decide to seek resolution though mediation and jointly appoint a mediator. The parties sign an agreement to mediate, which includes binding confidentiality clauses.
The parties send background briefs to the mediator to enable them to read into the case.
On the agreed day they meet (in person or on line) and through a number of meetings (led by the mediator) find a way to produce a mutually acceptable solution.
When the terms of the solution are agreed a binding agreement is signed and (if necessary) an agreed text released to the public.
All parties then depart to get on with their lives.
What the Mediator does (and does not) do.
The mediator is appointed by all parties to manage the process of meetings, discussions and proposals to develop an agreement. This will involve multiple meetings, often with the mediator shuttling between the parties.
The mediator is impartial and all the parties are (separately) clients – the mediator’s obligation is to them.
The mediator is neither a judge , an adviser nor an arbitrator and is not there to impose a solution, or even comment on the viability of suggestions. The mediator simply leads the parties through a process to a mutually acceptable settlement.
Key Points About Mediation
The process is voluntary. Parties can abandon the mediation at any point.
The process is both confidential and without prejudice. Any information disclosed to the mediator can only be shared with the express permission of the disclosing party (unless disclosure is required by law – e.g. money laundering).
On the day all parties must have the authority to enter into a settlement agreement. They will be asked to confirm this on the day.
Fees & Administration
If you chose to contact me directly the initial discussion is free of charge. My fee, which will include all costs, will be based on the work involved and the value of the dispute. I am confident that my rates are competitive.
My meditations are administered by Clerksroom. Details of fees are here
My clerks are Lisa, Felicity and Holly at Clerksroom Mediation who can be contacted on 01823 704099 or mediation@clerksroom.com
Next Step
If you are involved in a dispute and both you and the other parties want to explore mediation further, without obligation, contact me You have nothing to lose.