22 LAWYER MONTHLY ADR AWARDS 2024 Mediation Lawyer of the Year UNITED KINGDOM awareness of mental health as there is now and so I didn’t really start to enjoy education and learning until the age of 18. I decided to study A level law at my local college. As soon as I began the course, I felt like I had found the one thing that made me happy. One of my tutors at A level, Mr John Morris, was the most influential person I had ever met, at that point. He supported and encouraged my love of the law. That is why I went on to university to gain a law degree. Unbeknown to me, Mr Morris was a tutor on my degree course. That familiarity helped me settle at university (and helped me understand trust law much better than I might otherwise have!). How does IPOS benefit clients’ cases when they have not been able to reach a conclusion for potentially years, how does bringing in a third party create a better space to begin mending the dispute? Bringing in a third party can create a better space to begin mending a dispute for several reasons: A third party can offer a neutral perspective on the issue at hand. They are not personally invested in the conflict, which allows them to assess the situation objectively and offer unbiased insights. Mediators are trained in conflict resolution techniques. They can help facilitate productive discussions, guide the parties toward finding common ground, and assist in generating potential solutions. In many disputes, emotions can run high, making it challenging for the parties involved to communicate effectively. A third party can help diffuse tension and create a calmer environment for constructive dialogue to take place. Sometimes, parties in a dispute may struggle to communicate directly with each other due to animosity or communication barriers. A third party can serve as a communication bridge, facilitating dialogue and ensuring that each party’s perspective is heard and understood. Third parties can help shift the focus away from blame and toward finding mutually beneficial solutions. By reframing the conversation around problem-solving rather than assigning fault, the parties can work together more effectively to resolve the dispute. In situations where the disputing parties have an ongoing relationship, such as in a workplace or family setting, involving a third party can help preserve those relationships. The third party can help the parties navigate the conflict in a way that minimizes damage to their relationship and fosters mutual understanding and respect. Overall, bringing in a third party can create a structured and supportive environment for resolving disputes, fostering communication, and ultimately, mending relationships. IPOS Mediation covers various services such as, Civil & Commercial, Workplace, & Employment and more, which area of mediation seems to be the most in demand for clients and why do you think that is? Civil and Commercial mediation is the strongest area that I work closest with. Commercial mediation is in demand for clients for several reasons: Compared to litigation, commercial mediation is often more cost-effective. It can save clients significant amounts of money on legal fees, court costs, and other expenses associated with “A third party can serve as a communication bridge, facilitating dialogue and ensuring that each party’s perspective is heard and understood.” Q Q
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