Mediation solicitors

What happens during mediation?

During a mediation, each party is usually based in a separate room, either at a shared physical venue or online. The mediator moves between the parties, relaying proposals and guiding negotiations. Initial joint sessions may be held to outline positions and objectives.

All discussions are confidential and conducted on a ‘without prejudice’ basis — they are not intended to be referred to the court, to permit a full and frank discussion. If agreement is reached, our mediation solicitors will help the parties to draft a binding settlement document.

Advantages to mediating

There are many advantages to mediating:

• Mediation is confidential and fast, with meetings tailored around the parties’ schedules. It can take place in person or virtually.
• The process is cost effective, very significantly less expensive than a protracted dispute. If settlement is reached, the cost of the dispute can be brought to an end immediately.
• The parties maintain control, with the mediator providing support to help them evaluate what makes the most sense to them. Resolution is only reached on the basis of what is acceptable to the parties — decisions are not imposed on them by a judge, arbitrator or tribunal.
• The process is creative. This allows bespoke and innovative solutions to be found, suited to the needs of each individual case.
• Mediation offers the parties certainty about the future, not only capping costs but also putting everyone in a position where the uncertainty of a continued dispute is avoided.
• The process may also help the parties to repair relationships and can form the basis for future cooperation.
• Mediation is a voluntary and informal process.

How can we help?

Members of our team regularly act as mediators in relation to disputes of all kinds, including:

• Family disputes (see our dedicated page on divorce mediation)

• Contested probate/executries, divorce and child arrangements

• Pre-nuptial agreements

• Commercial/contractual disputes

• Property disputes

• Partnership and shareholders’ disputes, including for Solicitors, GPs and other professionals

• NHS and Healthcare disputes

• Employment law disputes (including resolving potential break downs in relationships) — see our guide to workplace mediation for more information

We routinely represent clients at mediations, presenting their cases to protect their interests and secure settlements.

Our team of mediation solicitors

Our team of mediators can provide assistance throughout the UK, as well as internationally and includes:

Andrew Cromby — Andrew is a CMC accredited Mediator and a member of the ADR Group mediation panel, having dealt with commercial litigation matters for  more than 30 years. He has been recognised as a leading individual in partnership disputes for two decades. His  practice also includes contractual, business ownership, employment and shareholder disputes and he has been described in independent legal directory Chambers UK as someone with the “ability to steer a clear, sensible course through very troubled waters.”  Andrew has empathy and authority and draws on his experience to understand the parties’ perspectives and defuse emotive issues. He is also the Regional Office Head for Weightmans in London.

Andrew Forrest — Andrew is a Fellow of the CIPD and has a master’s degree in human resource management and industrial relations. Having worked for ACAS, his experience covers both the public and private sectors and includes Tribunal advocacy, consulting and negotiating with trade unions, training, conciliation and mediation. Andrew has been a mediator for 20 years.

Carolyn Morgan — Carolyn is based in Glasgow and has acted as a mediator in a broad range of disputes involving both individuals and businesses, including commercial disputes, contentious property matters, conflicts between employee/employer and disagreements amongst beneficiaries in the administration of a deceased’s estate. Being a litigator with over 20 years’ experience, she has extensive negotiating and problem-solving techniques and skills. This enables her to help parties in conflict to reach resolutions that are beneficial to each of them. She has an empathetic, friendly and respectful manner and is able to adapt to the changing needs of the parties in any situation.

Lottie Tyler — Lottie is an experienced family solicitor. She is particularly keen to find practical solutions to disputes and minimise the impact of separation on children. She is a trained collaborative lawyer and happy to discuss resolving cases through a series of meetings rather than through the court process. As a mediator, Lottie works together with separating couples to facilitate them reaching their own understanding.

Paman Singh — Paman is an accredited mediator and an Employment Law and Discrimination Law specialist; as a leading Employment Lawyer in the UK, he is recognised by the Law Society as a specialist in both of these areas. He is ranked in Chambers and Partners as an Associate to Watch and feedback includes, “He goes out of his way to understand our business and provide relevant and easy-to-understand advice.” Although Paman has deep experience of negotiation and litigation, as well as conducting advocacy himself, he has a strong focus on mediation and alternative dispute resolution; having experience in all forms of conflict resolution, Paman believes that mediation is an invaluable tool to unlock difficult workplace situations, significantly more effective than a grievance process. An experienced mediator, Paman can assist with rehabilitating working relationships and helping to prevent an uneasy atmosphere which can arise after a workplace dispute.