Mediation: The New Normal
Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice for England and Wales
CMC Update and What This Means for You!
Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Paul Adams & Victoria Harris
What Can Mediators Learn from Crisis Negotiators – And Vice Versa? Lessons from Conversation Analysis
Professor Elizabeth Stokoe
Mediating High Net Worth Family Disputes
Eve Pienaar
‘Permission to Share?’ An Innovative Model for Mediators in the Community Sector
Dave Walker
Examining Barriers to Workplace Mediation
Dionne Dury, Camilla Palmer, Caroline Sheridan & Dinu Suntook
Recent Developments in SEND Mediation – Reforms or Remedies?
Martha Monday, Dominic Collis, Adam Gersch & Ben Walsh
Continuous Improvement: Learning from Mediation Complaints
John Anderson MBE
Conference Sessions Day 2
The Growth of Mediation through the Civil Courts in England and Wales: Past, Present, and Future
Professor Bryan Clark
Building and Expanding Your Mediation Practice: Proven Strategies and Practical Examples
Dan Mortimer
Managing your Mediator Spark! – Advice on Wellbeing for Mediators
Marie Coombes
Managing Multiple Parties at Mediation
Suzanne Tager, Declan Finn, Rosemary Jackson KC & Simon Garrett
Former BBC News Anchor and Mediator Joanna Gosling Is Quizzed by 4 School Mediators
Jonna Gosling, Ellis Brooks & Students
Supporting Professional Development for Mediators
Paul Adams, Roger Levitt & Rebecca Clark
An Insight into Elder Mediation – an Emerging Specialism in the UK
Freddie De Luca and Tracey Adamson
The Client Experience of Mediation. New Insights from Ordinary People
Charlie Irvine
Learn More About Sessions & Speakers
Mediation: The New Normal – Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls
Join Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice for England and Wales as he discusses a year of change in the field of mediation and dispute resolution. Sir Geoffrey will speak on the digital justice system, dispute resolution advancements within the courts and the future of the digital ecosystem.
6 November, 1pm • Keynote Day 1
CMC Update and What This Means for You! – Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Paul Adams & Victoria Harris
A great opportunity for senior members of the CMC Board & Executive, to update members on the plethora of CMC initiatives that are currently underway, across the full spectrum of mediation specialisms.
6 November, 1.30pm
What Can Mediators Learn from Crisis Negotiators – And Vice Versa? Lessons from Conversation Analysis – Professor Elizabeth Stokoe
In this session, Elizabeth Stokoe will draw together insights from her research on the communicative practices that comprise mediation and crisis negotiation. Using anonymised recordings of real cases of mediation and crisis negotiation, she will identify, describe, and share what works in situations of conflict, including cases where the stakes are high. She will show how, in both mediation and police negotiation, particular words and phrases – placed at particular sequential positions within the overall encounter – create either resistance or turning points, leading people in crisis and conflict to reject or engage in mediation or negotiation. Elizabeth will show how surprisingly similar some of these communicative practices are, and how valuable it is to learn from what experts actually do, “in the wild.”
6 November, 2pm
Mediating High Net Worth Family Disputes – Eve Pienaar
High net worth family disputes arise in a number of circumstances: claims may be brought by some beneficiaries, over the administrator’s exercise of their fiduciary duties, or claims may be brought against the Estate of a settlor, where a party feels they were unfairly treated under a Will, for example. These often acrimonious and complex cases are arguably better suited to mediation than the family airing their grievances through the courts. Eve will lead a conversation about how mediation can deliver tangible value to these cases and how – as mediators – we might better promote the use of mediation early on in the life of these disputes.
6 November, 3.15pm
‘Permission to Share?’ An Innovative Model for Mediators in the Community Sector – Dave Walker
In this session, Director of Mediation at CALM, Dave Walker, will explore the benefits of having the mediator present clients’ accounts during joint mediation sessions. Having successfully applied his ‘Permission to Share’ approach at mediations in a community, workplace, and family mediation setting, Dave will explain how this method can significantly reduce walkouts and angry outbursts as well as allowing more time for constructive dialogue. The session will also look at how asking the right questions can promote self-reflection, encouraging clients to take ownership of their actions. A shift that can help move clients from entrenched positions to more positive paths forward, fostering better understanding. Join us to learn more about this approach and consider how this technique may benefit mediation practice.
6 November, 3.15pm
Examining Barriers to Workplace Mediation – Dionne Dury, Camilla Palmer, Caroline Sheridan & Dinu Suntook
Join our expert panel chaired by Dionne Dury to look at the impact of the new Government’s planned changes to employment law. In this session we will also consider challenges posed by the grievance process and by looking at case studies, how we can best encourage mediation for those who are experiencing workplace conflict.
6 November, 3.15pm
Recent Developments in SEND Mediation – Reforms or Remedies? – Martha Monday, Dominic Collis, Adam Gersch & Ben Walsh
Join Martha Monday, Dominic Collis, Adam Gersch, and Ben Walsh who will be discussing a host of topics impacting the SEND mediation sector. Subjects up for discussion include; reasons behind the recent increase in volume of cases and how to maintain quality provision; proposed change to the Tribunal Chambers Rules in relation to paper-only assessment appeals; the impact of the DfE’s Improvement Plan and Change Programme and a focus on participants’ expectations and experience, looking at how these have changed and the implications of these changes for SEND mediators.
6 November, 3.15pm
Continuous Improvement: Learning from Mediation Complaints – John Anderson MBE
Join John Anderson MBE, Chair of the CMC Complaints and Discipline Committee, for a conference session to explore scenarios relevant to mediation, where sharpened awareness and reflective practice can foster continuous improvement and uphold standards.
6 November, 4pm
Constructive Communication in the NHS – The Power of Mediation in Healthcare Settings – Jenny Owen
A session exploring the scope of NHS Mediation and Conflict Coaching services to increase staff and patient wellbeing and exemplify a restorative approach to conflict.The NHS is estimated to spend £2.4 per year on conflict and its associated costs. Passionate, caring staff working in busy complex teams rely on robust communication to manage issues and provide excellent patient care. When tension emerges or relationship breakdown occurs the costs can be high. NHS Mediation Services provide more than just workplace mediation for staff. The complexity and size of hospitals demand a flexible approach to resolve conflict, and to learn and embed constructive communication skills. This session shares learning from UCLH. We will explore the impact of these interventions, and other ways that mediation can be used within in any healthcare setting.
6 November, 4.30pm
The Growth of Mediation through the Civil Courts in England and Wales: Past, Present, and Future – Professor Bryan Clark
Professor Bryan Clark charts the growth of mediation in England and Wales by its integration within the civil justice system and discusses some recent and current developments. Casting an eye on measures in other jurisdictions, this keynote presentation will then explore the future further embedding of mediation within our domestic courts and examine the policy and practice choices that lie ahead.
7 November, 1pm • Keynote Day 2
Building and Expanding Your Mediation Practice: Proven Strategies and Practical Examples – Dan Mortimer
Join us for an insightful session tailored for mediators at various stages of their careers. Whether you’re newly qualified and looking to establish your mediation business or more experienced and seeking ways to expand your practice, this presentation will offer valuable strategies and tips to help you succeed.
Drawing from Performance Laws’ bespoke “Cultivation System,” this session will delve into the key factors that drive successful mediation marketing. You will learn how to form new relationships with clients and referral parties; nurture and maintain connections with existing contacts; enhance your visibility on- and offline; understand how to use social media; and optimise time spent on business development and marketing.
Join us to gain actionable insights and boost your mediation practice to the next level.
7 November, 1.30pm
Managing your Mediator Spark! – Advice on Wellbeing for Mediators – Marie Coombes
As mediators, our well-being is essential to delivering effective and sustainable outcomes. Marie Coombes invites you to explore the SPARK framework with her—a comprehensive approach to maintaining balance and resilience in your mediation practice. By focusing on self-awareness, physical well-being, process management, professional development, and boundaries, you can ensure that you remain at your best – professionally and personally. Prioritise your own well-being and keep your SPARK alive so you can continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
7 November, 2pm
Managing Multiple Parties at Mediation – Suzanne Tager, Declan Finn, Rosemary Jackson KC & Simon Garrett
When a mediator is working with two or more people representing a party (such as co-directors) or multiple parties (with many commercial stakeholders), particular issues and considerations arise. This panel chaired by mediator and commercial litigator, Suzanne Tager, will look at the dynamics of such disputes – with a nod to those arising where parties are supported by others, to include their spouses, friends….and yes, their legal advisers!
7 November, 2.45pm
Former BBC News Anchor and Mediator Joanna Gosling Is Quizzed by 4 School Mediators – Jonna Gosling, Ellis Brooks & Students
There has never been a better time for the next generation to learn about mediation. In this session Joanna Gosling, Senior Associate Mediator with Irwin Mitchell and former BBC News Anchor, will be quizzed by four young mediators from across the country who have recently trained to support peer mediation programmes in their schools. Joanna will be answering their questions about how she rises to the challenge of being a mediator. The CMC is proud to support young mediators trained by providers from our Peer Mediation Working Group for this exciting session.
7 November, 2.45pm
Learning from Strathclyde Mediation Clinic About Their Award-Winning and Court-Supporting Mediation Clinic – Charlie Irvine, Pauline McKay & Eunice Tolulope Olatunji
The Mediation Clinic was founded over a decade ago to offer practical experience to students on University of Strathclyde’s LLM/MSc in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. It has gone from strength to strength and now provides government-funded mediation in the majority of Scotland’s courts. The workshop will share lessons learned about educating mediators, working with courts and building a new profession. Participants will gain insights into an alternative approach to small claims mediation, quite distinct from the MOJ’s current project for England & Wales.
7 November, 2.45pm
Supporting Professional Development for Mediators – Paul Adams, Roger Levitt & Rebecca Clark
With the professional development of mediators forming part of the CMC’s strategic review this Autumn, join CMC CEO Paul Adams, Board Member Roger Levitt and IPOS’ Rebecca Clark to contribute to the conversation on observations, mentoring and CPD training. Take this opportunity to discuss the support you need and any changes that you would like to see by contributing to this panel discussion.
7 November, 2.45pm
An Insight into Elder Mediation – an Emerging Specialism in the UK – Freddie De Luca and Tracey Adamson
This session will provide an insight into elder mediation – a new specialism in the UK. Freddie De Luca and Tracey Adamson hold EMIN certification for this specialism. Learning from established expertise in other countries, their practice is growing and they are collaborating with other colleagues who are keen to see high quality elder mediation become more widely available across the UK. The session will look at the ethos of elder mediation and potential demand, as well as sharing examples of case work which can involve conflict or decisions about: living, care or support arrangements of an older person, their autonomy or safety, health care, financial or property matters, or family relationships.
7 November, 3.30pm
The Client Experience of Mediation. New Insights from Ordinary People – Charlie Irvine
Charlie Irvine recently received his doctorate for a study of self-represented parties in court-referred mediation. Here he shares some of his key findings. Despite critical concern about justice in mediation when no lawyers are present, when given the chance to negotiate their own outcomes to legal disputes, consumers and businesses arrived at settlements not dissimilar to what courts would award. Their words demonstrate the wide range of factors influencing their thinking, both during and in settling these cases. Charlie also offers insights on mediator input as a backstop against injustice.
7 November, 4pm
Adam Gersch
Adam graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a law degree and was called to the Bar in 1993. With 30 years of experience as a barrister and 26 years as a mediator, he now serves as CEO of Global Mediation which he founded in 1999. In 2001, he played a pivotal role in pioneering SEND Mediation. Under his leadership and strategic direction, Global Mediation, and its subsidiary Global Training, have become the largest provider of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) mediation in the UK. As a CEDR accredited mediator, Adam has lectured and published extensively on conflict mediation. Adam hosts the Mediation Matters podcast and serves as a CMC board member.
Ben Walsh
Ben Walsh is a Civil, Workplace and SEND Mediator. He sits on the Independent Standards Board of the Civil Mediation Council and the CMC/College of Mediators SEND Panel of Assessors, which sets and oversees national standards. He is also a Lay Member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and CIPFA Regulatory Panel, and a Selection Panel Chair for the Judicial Appointments Commission.
Bryan Clark
Bryan Clark is Professor of Law and Civil Justice within the Law School at Newcastle University where he is Programme Director of the IMI Accredited, LLM in Mediation and Commercial Dispute Resolution. He is an established teacher, trainer and researcher with over two decades working in the field. His main research interests lie in the fields of dispute resolution, mediation and its interaction with formal civil justice processes and the workings of lawyers. A judge at the 2022 UK National Mediation Awards, he is Chair of the Validation and Accreditation Panel of Relationships Scotland, a Trustee of the Arab Mediation Centre, former Board Member of Scottish Mediation and former Academic Committee Member of the CMC.
Camilla Palmer (hon) KC
Camilla Palmer (hon) KC is a mediator and Associate Tenant in Doughty Street Chambers mediation team. She has extensive experience in workplace, commercial and judicial mediations. Camilla is a fee-paid employment judge and a member of the CMC Workplace Group. In 2014, Camilla set up YESS (Your Employment Settlement Service), a unique legal charity advising employees and employers how to resolve disputes without litigation – the strapline being ‘Life’s too short to litigate’. Before becoming a mediator, Camilla was an employment lawyer for 20 years, specialising in, and writing books on, discrimination law.
Caroline Sheridan
Caroline is CEO of Sheridan Worldwide, operating a global faculty of executive coaches and facilitators alongside her award winning mediation practice. She has consistently appeared in both the Chambers UK and Legal 500 directories and is regularly sought to mediate workplace/employment and commercial cases. She specialises in the repair and restoration of valuable workplace relationships which appear damaged beyond remedy. Former CMC Workplace and Employment Chair, Caroline sits on its Registration and Standards Committee (soon to become the Mediation Standards Board).
Charlie Irvine
With a background in law and music, Charlie Irvine has been practising as a mediator for over thirty years. After receiving the MSc in Conflict Resolution and Mediation Studies from Birkbeck University of London, he founded University of Strathclyde’s LLM/MSc in Mediation and Conflict Resolution in 2010. The Mediation Clinic began the following year, offering students the opportunity to mediate real-world disputes. He writes widely on mediation and has just been awarded his PhD for a study entitled “Can Mediation Deliver Justice? The Perspective of Unrepresented People.” His practice includes workplace, commercial and succession disputes and complaints against legal practitioners.
Dan Mortimer
Dan Mortimer is the founder of Performance Laws, a boutique firm specialising in helping professionals and companies with relationship-focused business development. Performance Laws work with over 200 clients globally within a wide range of areas – dispute resolution, consulting, expert witness services, alternative legal services, litigation support, etc. Dan spent over twenty years developing the Cultivation System, which has helped hundreds of dispute resolution professionals across the world since 2017.
Dave Walker
Mediating since 1986 David has over 36 years mediation experience. He was recognised for his outstanding contribution to mediation by being awarded an MBE in 2007. David mediates in a wide range of situations ranging from high level anti-social behaviour, work with residents’ groups, local authorities, contractors, workplace relationships, company mergers, divorce and separation, commercial, hate crime, radicalisation, as well as working on gang related conflict. In October 2022 David was invited to address an International Mediation conference in Angers France about the importance of training young people in schools to be mediators.
Declan Finn
Declan is a partner at DAC Beachcroft in London. He regularly acts on behalf of insurers in respect of financial lines insurance matters. This includes advising on claims involving Directors and Officers (D&O), Financial Institutions (FI) and Professional Liability (PI) insurance policies. Declan also acts in defence of claims against various professionals including accountants, insolvency practitioners, and IT professionals.
Dinu Suntook
Dinu Suntook (Director, Employment Lawyer) has worked in-house at a global financial institution for over ten years and was in private practice previously. As well as being an accredited civil/commercial mediator, Dinu has undertaken the Harvard Program on Negotiation, and has trained as a mental health first aider. She has also spent time working in Employee Relations. This broad experience, and her interest in conciliation and interest-based negotiation, gives her a particularly holistic perspective in her work.
Dionne Dury
Dionne is an accredited workplace mediator with a background in employment law. She has over 11 years’ experience working as an employment lawyer advising businesses and employees on a wide range of workplace disputes. In 2016, she became Director of South-West based business, Resolution at Work. She is now Module Leader for Employment Law at the University of East Anglia and the Law School’s Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Dionne is Chair of the CMC’s Workplace Mediation Working Group.
Dominic Collis
Dominic is the managing director of Collis Mediation Ltd. He comes to mediation from a commercial background, having spent much of his 30yr career at the most senior level in industry. Dominic is on the Board of Director’s of the CMC, a CMC Accredited SEND Mediator, Fellow member of the Chartered Management Institute, Trustee and Founding Panel Member of the Society of Mediators and his organisation is a CMC Approved Training Provider. Dominic has tutored at Kings College London, SHU Law amongst other establishments and delivers a suite of training to professionals.
Elizabeth Stokoe
Elizabeth Stokoe is a professor in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science at The London School of Economics and Political Science. She conducts conversation analytic research to understand how talk works – from first dates to medical communication and from sales encounters to mediation and crisis negotiation. Her research on mediation fed into a new communication approach for the Ministry of Justice in 2014. In addition to academic publishing, she is passionate about science communication, and has given talks at TED, Google, Microsoft, and The Royal Institution, and performed at Latitude and Cheltenham Science Festivals.
Ellis Brooks
Ellis is the Peace Education Coordinator for Quakers in Britain and has worked as a teacher and as a trainer with Peacemakers and CRESST, training of hundreds of peer mediators and school staff. Having worked with nonviolent activists in Palestine and Afghanistan, Ellis is passionate about the power of peacemaking. Quakers work with the Civil Mediation Council Peer Mediation Working Group to introduce peer mediation to more schools nationwide, offering train the trainer workshops for teachers and mediators.
Eunice Olatunji
Eunice Tolulope Olatunji is Lead Counsel at Hephzibah LP, Lagos, Nigeria, with expertise in business analysis, negotiation and mediation. She has over a decade’s experience as a mediator, an MBA from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, and an MSc in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from the University of Strathclyde, UK. Eunice is a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and a pioneer member of the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates. She serves on the panel of neutrals at the Multi-Door Court House in both Lagos and Kaduna State, as well as mediating numerous cases for the Mediation Clinic. She currently works as an Individual Conciliator at ACAS.
Eve Pienaar
Eve is a highly regarded commercial mediator, working across a range of commercial sectors including property and construction, professional negligence, shareholder disputes and insolvency. Her practice includes contentious probate and workplace cases. Eve is ranked as Tier 2 in Legal 500 and Band 3 with Chambers & Partners. She has mediated over 350 commercial cases and is regularly sought after for complex, high value or multi party cases. She is a Fellow of the CMC and member of Faculty of CEDR. She also mediates for the ICC and LCIA. Eve is an IMI certified commercial mediator.
Freddie de Luca
Freddie is a Board member of the Elder Mediation International Network (EMIN) and is accredited by them at Advanced level. She mediates primarily elder and workplace cases at Concord Conflict Solutions, as well as complex cases in other areas such as community. As Director of Training and Development at Calm Mediation she has an overview of emerging areas of client need, (including co-leading a national ‘mediation access for low income families’ campaign). Originally a lawyer, Freddie is an advocate of innovative, alternative approaches to dispute resolution.
Sir Geoffrey Vos
Sir Geoffrey Vos was appointed Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales on 11 January 2021. In addition to being President of the Court of Appeal’s Civil Division, he is chair of the Civil Justice Council and the Civil Procedure Rule Committee. Sir Geoffrey is chair of the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives and of the Forum on Historical Manuscripts and Academic Research. He is a member of the LawtechUK Panel and chair of its UK Jurisdiction Taskforce. He was elected as 2nd Vice-President of the Council the European Law Institute, and is a member of the Steering Group of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts.
Jenny Owens
As a mediator conflict resolution coach and educator Jenny believes in the power of authentic communication to transform lives. She is currently working within the NHS to help staff members and teams navigate conflict and build communication skills, creating opportunities for effective team-working, stronger relationships and greater resilience and understanding. With over 10 years’ professional mediation and Non-Violent Communication experience, and a background in sixth form education and restorative just culture work in schools, Jenny is familiar with supporting people to navigate conflict and tension.
Joanna Gosling
Joanna is a Senior Associate Mediator (family and workplace) at Irwin Mitchell. Joanna is passionate about relationship dynamics, communication, and navigating conflict, which is why she changed career after 30 years as one of the most experienced and best-known rolling news presenters broadcasting in the UK, leaving her role as BBC News Chief Anchor. Joanna also has her own show on Classic fm.
John Anderson
After 15 years of teaching, John Anderson MBE returned to study, graduating in Law from Edinburgh University in 1992. John retired as Head of Fitness to Teach with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and has served as lay panellist with several regulatory bodies, including the RCVS, CIPFA, CIMA and RICS. Currently a member of the disciplinary committee of the Scottish Bar, he is also the overall Chair of the Disciplinary Committee of the Farriers Registration Council, a member of the Discipline Board of ICAS and the Investigating Committee of the General Medical Council.
Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho
Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho is a CEDR-accredited mediator and barrister and Chair of the CMC. Kelly was counsel, led by Edwin Glasgow KC, to the CMC, CEDR and Ciarb in the recent landmark case Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil. Prior to her tenancy at 39 Essex Chambers, Kelly was a solicitor in a US headquartered law firm in London where she was involved in litigation at every level. She was a blue-book stagiare at the European Commission, a judicial assistant to the Court of Appeal, and taught on the LLM course at King’s College London and the LLB at Birkbeck, together for over 10 years. She is ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Marie Coombes
With 25 years of HR expertise at Royal Mail and as a freelance consultant, Marie Coombes specialises in conflict transformation and psychological safety. She has successfully led over 300 workplace mediations and is deeply passionate about mental health. Marie applies her trauma-informed training to empower individuals and foster resilience within the workplace. Her achievements include multiple Mediation Team of the Year awards at Royal Mail and the prestigious 2020 Civil Mediation Council Workplace Mediator of the Year Award, earned during her first year as CEO of We Restore Calm.
Martha Monday
Martha has extensive mediation experience, having been mediating on a regular basis for just over 25 years. She practises primarily as an accredited SEND Mediator and PPC, and is also trained and has experience in family, workplace and community mediation. For 16 years she practised simultaneously as a family law barrister, and has a Masters in Law, but decided in 2016 to hang up her wig and gown and concentrate solely upon her mediation practice. Martha sits on the Board of the College of Mediators and the CoM/CMC Panel of SEND Mediation Assessors, setting and maintaining standards in that field.
Paul Adams
Paul has been the CMC’s CEO since 2018 and has overseen the development and professionalisation of the organisation during his tenure. A strong advocate for sector unity and strategic direction, he argues passionately for the need for mediation to speak with one voice, in order to get its message heard. In recent years, he has sought to widen the remit of the CMC to encompass all specialisms of mediation outside of the family context.
Pauline McKay
Pauline McKay is Strathclyde Mediation Clinic’s full-time Coordinator. She has more than thirty years of administration experience, working across various faculties and departments within the University of Strathclyde. She has been a mediator for five years, initially training in Community Mediation, then completing the university’s Postgraduate Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. Registered with Scottish Mediation, in addition to her role at the Clinic Pauline mediates independently and volunteers for Lothian & Borders Mediation Service and other community mediation organisations.
Rebecca Clark
Rebecca Clark is passionate about the process and benefits of mediation. She regularly speaks at conferences and gives training with a particular focus on the psychology of mediation and negotiation. Described as “superb”, “outstanding” and “a credit to her profession”, Rebecca is an accomplished and highly effective mediator since 2016.
Roger Levitt
Roger is ranked as a Leading Mediator by Legal 500 2020, having conducted over 130 commercial and property mediations, both online and face to face. He is a Fellow of the CMC, and a member of its Board and Registration & Standards Committee. He is on the CIArb Panel of Senior Commercial and Civil Mediators and is a member of The IMI RICS/PLA Panel of Boundary Dispute Mediators. Roger provides mentoring services to newly qualified mediators Property Solicitors. He qualified in 1984 and is a solicitor since 2018, non-Practising. He has extensive experience in all types of commercial and residential work.
Rosemary Jackson KC
Rosemary Jackson KC has been an accredited mediator since 2001. Her approach is highly commercial. She has mediated and co-mediated disputes up to £2bn and between up to 10 parties. Many complex or multi-party mediations benefit from Rosemary’s ability to case-manage the dispute and participate in a structured mediation process over a number of months. Rosemary is featured as a Tier 1 Mediator by Legal 500 and is recognised in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for mediators. Rosemary received the Clare Edwards Award for professional excellence and contribution to the legal profession serving the construction industry in 2018. Rosemary is also Patron of the London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation.
Simon Garrett
Simon Garrett is a partner in the Insurance Team. He has worked as a lawyer in the London insurance market since 2001. He acts for a variety of insurers, intermediaries and their insureds in defence of claims against them or advising on coverage issues. Simon’s practice focuses on claims against financial institutions, commercial D&O claims and complex professional indemnity disputes involving financial services companies and other professionals, particularly solicitors, IFA’s, insurance brokers, accountants and other financial services professionals. Simon also represents clients facing investigations by regulatory bodies e.g. FCA, FRC, Lloyd’s of London.
Suzanne Tager
Suzanne Tager has over 19 years’ experience of dealing with and resolving high-value, multi-jurisdictional, cross-border, commercial disputes both domestically and internationally. She is ranked as a Leading Mediator in Legal 500 and is a highly accomplished commercial litigator, having been a member of Hogan Lovells’s commercial litigation team until 2019. Suzanne’s mediation appointments tend to reflect her experience as a litigator and she is regularly appointed to assist with disputes relating to banking and finance, contentious insolvency, shareholders, JVs, partnerships, companies, property and general commercial matters.
Tracey Adamson
Tracey is a CMC Registered Mediator with accreditations in elder, workplace and community mediation. An active mediator since first training as a community mediator with Calm Mediation in 2011, she has mediated hundreds of conflicts between neighbours, work colleagues and teams, and families. As well as having a private mediation practice, Concord Conflict Solutions, she continues to volunteer with Calm Mediation, London’s largest mediation charity, where she served as a Trustee 2017-23. In her previous career as a corporate communications professional, Tracey worked across the sectors including with health and NHS organisations.
Victoria Harris
Victoria Harris is Deputy Chief Executive at the CMC and Trustee of Mediation Hertfordshire, a community mediation organisation. Victoria gained an LLM at Kings College London before working as a solicitor specialising in employment law for 15 years and qualifying as a mediator. Victoria is an advocate for community mediation and the benefit it brings to individuals and public services. A member of the 2022 judging panel for the National Mediation Awards, Victoria now supports communications at CMC, where she also runs its Academic Forum and working groups for Peer Mediation in schools and Community Mediation.
Peer Mediators
Shayley and Brooke who are Peer Mediator at Bacons College, and Archie-Lee and Clara who are Peer Mediator at Exning Primary School.
Audrey Dorival helps families, local authorities and health professionals develop listening relationships with one another. She is a CEDR and SEND accredited mediator. Audrey trained as a solicitor with City firm Eversheds and worked as a commercial litigator for several years before embarking on a new career. For two decades, Audrey managed the award-winning KIDS SEND Mediation Service. In addition to her mediation expertise, Audrey is a seasoned freelance trainer and facilitator working regularly with the National Children’s Bureau and the Medical Mediation Foundation. Audrey sits on Mediation Panels with KIDS SEND Mediation Service and the Medical Mediation Foundation. She is a member of the CMC and College of Mediators SEND Assessor’s Panel, monitoring and reviewing mediation standards nationally.
Mia Forbes Pirie helps people to have the difficult conversations that divide us. A commercial and workplace mediator, she also volunteers as a community mediator. Since leaving her career as a City solicitor in 2007, Mia has mediated and facilitated for clients including the Church of England, the Government of Mongolia, G7 France, the European Commission, NGOs and large corporations. The subjects she has dealt with include space, chemicals, oil and gas, sustainability, refugees, gay marriage, religion, competition law and property law. She sits on the board of the Civil Mediation Council and was UK Independent Mediator of the Year 2021 (Corporate International).
