Mediation and ADR

Blackstone Chambers has considerable experience in mediation and ADR. Chambers has a growing mediation practice; 7 members of chambers are qualified mediators, having undertaken the full CEDR training course, and are now regularly appointed to act as mediators directly, as well as through CEDR, ACI and other service providers.

The growth of Chambers’ mediation practice is best evidenced by the arrivals of both Lord Woolf, the former Lord Chief Justice and Sir David Edward KCMG QC, the former British judge at the European Court of Justice. These two leading figures have added considerable weight to the already distinguished mediation team, spearheaded by former head of Chambers Charles Flint QC.

Work undertaken includes mediating complex commercial cases, employment, insurance, banking and financial services, shareholder claims, professional negligence, media and entertainment, sport, and mediations involving central and local Government departments. However, this is not an exhaustive list; please contact Adam Sloane (our dedicated mediation clerk) if you are considering engaging a Blackstone Chambers mediator in an area of practice not listed here.

Increasingly, Judges are urging parties to consider mediation at an earlier stage in appropriate cases, as an alternative to sometimes very lengthy trials. Mediation is a very different process to court litigation, since it is designed to help parties resolve disputes in a confidential manner, whilst aiming to keep proceedings as non-confrontational as possible.

Many members of Chambers are also experienced at advising parties in mediations, which also demands a different approach to litigation.