My Approach
In every mediation, my aim is to get to the heart of the dispute as quickly as possible.
I want to find out the real reason why the parties have fallen out. Very often the answer has nothing to do with what appears in the documents or on the face of the statements of case, but lies in understanding the personalities behind the conflict.
I am a barrister with over 30 years’ experience of dealing with often intransigent clients, and seemingly intractable and difficult disputes. Having experience of running a case from start to finish means that I understand the hidden pitfalls and surprises of litigation. I know about ‘litigation risk’: the risk of going to trial with what appears to be a good case…. and losing. I have seen clients convinced they were going to win and then being faced with having to pay not only their own legal costs but also the other side’s.
The way to avoid this is to get the parties to mediate as soon as possible. The sooner the parties mediate, the less they risk. But no matter how far a case has gone, it is almost never too late to mediate.
I have been an accredited mediator since 2014 and have acted as counsel and as mediator in numerous mediations over the years. I know that the key to a successful outcome is to gain the parties’ trust by showing them that I understand both sides of their dispute and that I am acting fairly and impartially. I am good at establishing a rapport with clients. I find that time spent with each of the parties at the beginning of the day will often lead to a settlement.
My practice includes all types of Business and Property disputes, every aspect of real property, including boundary, easement and restrictive covenant disputes, landlord and tenant, contentious probate and inheritance claims, partnerships and agricultural disputes.
Obtaining a successful settlement can always be achieved. I bring to bear the vision and imagination that will encourage the parties to understand that settling their differences is always better than risking ruin.
