Howard Gardener, senior partner, heads up our commercial mediation department.
Gill Brown also specialises in civil litigation.
Call us for an appointment or simply an exploratory discussion on 01256 460830 or email us.
Write to us at:
Town Gate Mediation
Town Gate
38 London Street
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG21 7NY
Our approach emphasises practical understanding of our clients' business problems and we have experience across every segment of the corporate and financial world. We specialise in managing complex cases involving multiple claims and parties. We also aim to develop compliance initiatives and other techniques to help our clients reduce litigation risk.
Commercial mediation is very similar to family mediation, in that it brings two parties together to have a chance to discuss their differences and reach a satisfactory conclusion for both protagonists. The mediator acts as an impartial third party, attempting to make sure both points of view are heard and understood. He/she will also try to ensure that a settlement, when reached, is reasonable for both parties. The discussions will take place in a neutral environment at the mediator's offices. At Phillips we have Town Gate Mediation service where this can take place.
As with family mediation, there will be a need for disclosure of facts and information before the matter can be fully discussed. The mediator endeavours to see both sides together in a non-threatening environment and will insist that some ground rules are adhered to by everyone in the room.
In certain circumstances, the mediator will use a method known as 'shuttle mediation' which is when the people concerned stay in separate rooms and after information sharing, the mediator will, literally, shuttle between the two, offering options from one to the other. Although this is not the preferred form of mediation, it can be useful when feelings are running high and getting in the way of a satisfactory conclusion.
Similarly, some people like their own lawyer to be present so that they can take legal advice during the mediation. Separate confidential areas can be allocated. At other times, individuals take the ideas back and discuss them with their own lawyers before making any decisions.
Evidence shows that business conflicts which are taken to mediation are not only resolved faster, but also allow for a better relationship between the two parties afterwards. As in family mediation, nothing is finally resolved before it is issued as a full legal document.
It is difficult to say how many sessions are needed in commercial disputes and often the mediation goes on until a resolution is found. The subject matter and the amount of information needed to help people make an informed decision can be vastly different from one case to another; however the mediator will always be determined to bring things to resolution as soon as possible.
We are members of the ADR Group, Family Mediators Association (FMA) and of the UK College of Mediators. We follow their Standards and Codes of Practice.
Howard Gardener, our senior partner, is a Professional Practice Consultant for FMA and part of their training team. He is also approved as a Mediator by the Community Legal Service and accredited as a Commercial/Civil Mediator with the ADR Group.
Copyright © 2006 Phillips Solicitors
Commercial litigation Basingstoke | Commercial litigation Hampshire
Commercial mediation Basingstoke | Commercial mediation Hampshire
