Henrietta Jackson-Stops and Amanda Bucklow featured in the Law Society Gazette

We are delighted to see that two of our mediators have been featured and quoted in an article by the Law Society Gazette on commercial mediation. The article highlights the success of mediation in achieving high settlement rates and rebuilding both commercial and personal relationships, as Henrietta Jackson-Stops states:

‘‘Mediation is faster than other dispute resolution processes, cheaper and allows for better outcomes,’ Jackson-Stops says. ‘It also allows parties the opportunity to rebuild commercial relationships, instead of destroying them through a drawn-out adversarial process.’’ ‘the question is not about whether to mediate, but when to mediate and the choice of mediator’’

Amanda Bucklow also comments on the potential success compulsory mediation could bring to individual litigants, with court only being a last resort’:

[mandatory mediation] is ‘a sensible step given the reluctance of many people to try and settle their disputes without resorting to the courts. Some argue that mandatory mediation would prevent access to justice or undermine the development of law, but that doesn’t recognise that litigation is costly and beyond the reach of many who need the assistance of professionals.’’

She also highlights one of the many strengths of using mediation over going to court:

“First, there is no binding agreement until one is signed by all parties. ‘That is a compelling backdrop for productive discussion and effective decision-making,’ says Bucklow. ‘The only ingredients parties and their lawyers need to bring to the table are goodwill and an open mind. But even [when] that is not present, we can often generate those qualities to a reasonable extent.’’

The article also discusses the move from in-person mediation to remote mediation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Call to Evidence issued by the Ministry of Justice. You can read the full article here:

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/features/we-can-work-it-out/5110790.article