Mediator Profile - Alex Fletcher

Speciality - Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Commercial Law

Mediator Profile - Lawrence Harrison

Speciality — Civil and Commercial Mediation

A highly experienced civil and workplace mediator willing to mediate a wide variety of disputes either remotely using online platforms or face to face. Lawrence combines a highly commercial approach with a commonsense attitude. He is extremely effective at keeping all parties focused on finding workable solutions. Lawrence is a CMC Registered and accredited mediator.

Professional Background

Lawrence qualified as a solicitor in 1989 having read Law at UCL and Queens’ College, Cambridge. helping clients ranging from individuals to very large multi-national corporations to negotiate commercial resolutions to their disputes. He was a partner at the Simkins Partnership for many years then founded the specialist entertainment and media firm Harrison Curtis. Lawrence continued to practice as a consultant solicitor with Swan Turton LLP until 2024. He is now a full time Mediator.

Experience

Lawrence has successfully mediated a very wide range of disputes but has particular experience in helping resolve Wills and Inheritance disputes (including 1975 Act, capacity and proprietary estoppel claims), TOLATA cases involving properties and businesses, Copyright and IP Disputes (in particular those involving the music and theatre industries), Neighbour disputes involving boundary/right of way issues and Company (Shareholder/Director) and Partnership disputes.

Feedback

“Came really highly recommended and deserved that praise.” (Will Dispute) “He is an excellent mediator and comes highly recommended. I particularly like the fact he cuts to the issues and isn't afraid to ask direct question.” (Boundary) “The level of calmness and quiet authority was very welcome.”(Contract Dispute) “Very Impressed. Excellent rapport with client, commercial and focused sessions.” (Tolata) “Personable, knowledgeable and dealt with a curveball which arose towards the end of the day calmly and still enabled the parties to reach a settlement.”(Will Dispute); “He took time to understand the issues in play and controlled the mediation exceptionally well. I will certainly recommend him to others.” (Copyright Dispute) “The client and I liked the mediator’s preparedness, his commercial acumen and his excellent mediation skills. We would recommend him and have no hesitation using him again.” (1975 Act Claim) “A good listener who quickly grasped the dynamics of the relationships in question.” (Boundary Dispute) “I was reminded yesterday that Lawrence is one of my favourite Mediators to work with. He was patient, kind, knew when to pull people into line and was a pleasure to deal with. My client was very very appreciative of his efforts.”(Solicitor Trust dispute)

Panel Memberships

Lawrence is an accredited mediator with the Civil Mediation Council and has been awarded the status of Fellow of which is a category reserved for the most experienced mediators.  

Contact lawrence@lawrenceharrison.co.uk  07944 592470

Mediator Profile - Elizabeth Kendall

Speciality — Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Workplace Mediation 

As one of the founder members of the Mediation Panel set up in 2002, Liz’s commitment to the cause is unwavering. In her role as Vice Chair of the Committee (previous past Chair) she readily takes up invitations to talk with Insurers, Solicitors, Law Schools about the benefits of mediation.   She is a Civil Mediation Council Fellow Member and is a Voluntary Community Mediator in her spare time. In terms of coverage, Liz is able to undertake mediations across the UK.  Over the years, Liz has been asked to mediate workplace disputes by previous employers.

Professional Background

A lawyer by profession (Chartered Legal Executive), Liz obtained Fellowship in 2004. Specialising in personal injury, Liz worked as a Personal Injury Lawyer for many years in an Exeter law firm before deciding that she ultimately wanted to help those on both sides of a claim. She spent 16 years working for two independent rehabilitation providers, ensuring that those who had been involved in accidents received the prompt treatment that they required under a joint agreement between legal representatives and assisting in growing both businesses.  She joined Everys Solicitors in January 2024 as Business Development Manager/Litigation Executive combining the two specialisms.  She is also part of the Everys Mediation Team.

Experience

Liz’s involvement with DASLS Mediation since 2002 has enabled her to mediate a wide range of Civil cases from all tracks which have been selected by the local judiciary as appropriate for Mediation. Liz holds an exceptionally high percentage of success rate in her various Mediator roles. She is a firm advocate of mediation being offered as a matter of course to parties who are currently in dispute not only because of its long term benefits but also for the reduction in time to trial and costs and easing the stress of litigation for all parties concerned.

Feedback

“Liz’s style was friendly and professional” – Disputed money claim  “Once again thank you for your efforts and the excellent way you have dealt with this matter” – Personal Injury  “I wish to register my appreciation for the helpful way in which these matters were handled” – Neighbour dispute  “My sincere thanks for all your efforts to achieve a satisfactory result” – Party  “We appreciate the speedy and efficient way the claim has been resolved” – Personal Injury

Mediator Profile - John Loram

Speciality – Civil and Family Mediation

John has been a full-time mediator for over 25 years and has mediated in excess of a thousand disputes. He is a highly accomplished mediator with extensive experience of handling a broad range of disputes, both remotely on Zoom or Teams and in person. As a qualified commercial and family mediator, John is particularly adept at managing sensitive disputes arising from personal or professional relationships, and is an expert at creating a calm, structured environment where the participants can move beyond entrenched positions and find a workable outcome.

Professional Background

John qualified as a solicitor at the prestigious London firm Farrer & Co in 1990 and moved to Devon in 1994.  He trained as a family mediator in 1997 and as a civil/commercial mediator in 2003.  In order to concentrate full-time on his mediation career, John set up the multi-award-winning Mediation First (formerly South West Mediation) in 2003. John was personally recognised with the Leader of the Year Award at the 2019 Devon and Somerset Law Society Awards and was shortlisted for the Significant Achievement Award at the 2022 National Mediation Awards. 

John has expertise in mediating:-

• Will and contentious probate disputes
• 1975 Inheritance Act disputes
• Cohabitee disputes and Trusts of Land (TOLATA) cases
• Contract (commercial and consumer) disputes
• Building and construction disputes
• Disputes regarding ownership of property
• Neighbour and boundary/rights of way disputes           
• Professional negligence claims
• Personal injury claims
• Share sale and breach of warranty disputes
• Business and partnership disputes
• Disputes regarding the care of vulnerable or elderly family members
• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Workplace disputes
• Employment matters
• Other types of disputes between family members

Feedback

“Another great outcome and excellent service” Solicitor “Was impressed throughout…a positive experience. Good rapport with client” Solicitor I was impressed by the skill and clarity of thought of the mediator” Client “Professional, discreet, pragmatic” Client “John’s style was excellent. He filled us with confidence” Solicitor “Sympathetic and caring” Client

Panel Memberships

John is an accredited mediator with the Civil Mediation Council and has been awarded the status of Fellow of which is a category reserved for the most experienced mediators.

Contact johnloram@hotmail.co.uk   07980 914775  

Mediator Profile - Kim McDonald

Speciality—Civil and Commercial Mediation

Kim completed her mediation training with the London School of Mediation.

Kim is a practising Solicitor and lecturer at the University of Exeter where she is the Deputy Director of Clinical Legal Education.

Kim was with an Exeter based law firm for over 15 years where she obtained the position of Partner, heading up the employment department.

Kim has experience dealing with disputes involving Civil Litigation, commercial disputes and Employment Law.

Kim actively encourages mediation as an alternative to litigation and believes the best way to resolve a dispute is for those involved to identify the main issues and reach their own resolution in the matter.  

As a mediator Kim is friendly, approachable, direct and fair.

Professional Background

Kim qualified as a Solicitor in 2009 and specialises in  civil litigation and employment law.

Kim has been a Partner of Gilbert Stephens Solicitors in Exeter and has experience dealing with a wide variety of disputes including but not limited to employment disputes, Landlord and Tenant disputes, Neighbour disputes including boundary disputes, Land Tribunal matters, contract disputes and debt recovery, consumer disputes, personal injury claims, commercial property and business disputes, professional negligence and probate claims including inheritance claims.

Kim now runs the University of Exeter Community law Clinic and is a Trustee for Citizens Advice, Exeter.

Due to her legal background Kim is commercially and financially aware particularly in relation to costs.

Experience

Kim has been the lead mediator in many mediations and acted as professional advisor in many more. Kim has mediation experience involving boundary disputes, neighbour disputes, breach of contract, business matters, contentious probate matters, employment and property disputes.

Feedback

“Kim put me at ease and made me feel comfortable” “Professional yet sympathetic”

Mediator Profile - Charles Pugsley

Speciality: Civil and Commercial Mediation

Charles was accredited mediator in 2002 after training with ADR Group Bristol.

He has mediated many civil and commercial matters locally. He has also carried out many community mediations for Devon Mediation. He is a member of the Civil Mediation Council.

Professional Background

Charles was a qualified solicitor since 1974 and was in practice in Tiverton since that time and as partner in his firm from 1976. At the beginning of his career, he was a general practitioner, conducting civil, family and criminal cases in Tiverton and other local courts. More recently he specialised in Conveyancing and Private Client work. He retired as a partner in 2017 and continued as a consultant solicitor until 2023, when he finally retired as a solicitor. He remains convinced of the benefits of mediation to the participants of any dispute, as this gives them more options than a court would be able to order and allows them to be in control of the outcome.

Experience

Charles joined DASLS mediation team in 2002 and conducted a wide range of mediations in matters from all tracks. He has also conducted and continues to conduct many community mediations.

Mediator Profile - Kathy Trist

Speciality—Civil and Commercial Mediation

Kathy’s background as a General Civil Litigator for nearly 20 years has meant that she has dealt with most types of disputes. Having qualified as a Mediator in 2011 and witnessed first hand the positive benefits of mediation she wanted to ensure she was able to assist her clients with the additional skill set mediation provides. Kathy enjoys the challenge mediating disputes brings and particularly relishes dealing with of breach of contract disputes; neighbour disputes; boundary disputes; landlord and tenant disputes; negligence claims, trust disputes, misrepresentation claims, money claims and large commercial business disputes. Kathy has a firm but fair attitude. Kathy considers that mediation offers a real alternative and allows those in a dispute to explore options fully Member of the Civil Mediation Council and Member of the Property Litigators Association

Professional Background

Kathy qualified as a Legal Executive in 2001 and Solicitor in 2004. Kathy has always been a General Civil Litigator. More recently Kathy has chosen to specialise in Property Litigation as she found clients most frequently required assistance with disputes arising out of their property rights. Kathy is Head of Property Litigation in a local firm. Kathy believes that mediation really does work and uses every opportunity to promote the service. Kathy is the current Chair of Devon and Somerset Law Society Panel of Mediators.

Experience

Kathy has had experience in dealing with a wide variety of disputes , between individuals , individuals and companies and company to company disputes. Contract (commercial and consumer); Trusts of Land (constructive and beneficial trust); Boundary Disputes; Landlord & Tenant (commercial and personal); Lands Tribunal claims; Workplace disputes and Employment matters; Professional Negligence claims, Partnership and Company Disputes;

Feedback

“Could not improve, excellent...” “Focus on achieving the objective” “professionalism, expertise, knowledge, personality, clarity of thought” “settled what could be settled”