Experience

Who am I?

I was admitted as a solicitor in 1992, accredited as a mediator by CEDR in 2008, and called to the Bar in 2010. I practice as a mediator and barrister from 9 St John Street in Manchester. The disputes that I mediate reflect my practice as a barrister:

  • Disputed Wills, trusts and Inheritance Act claims

  • Boundaries, rights of way and other property claims

  • Co-habitation disputes

  • Landlord and tenant disputes, particularly dilapidations and service charges

  • Professional negligence

  • Commercial, partnership and shareholder disputes.

I mediate because I enjoy it. My aim is always to help the parties to work their way through the issues and to find their own solution to their dispute.  At times that can be hard work for all involved.  There are often challenging questions to be addressed, and times when patience and persistence is essential. Where necessary my experience as a practicing barrister allows me to bring an element of evaluation to the parties’ positions and to ask the question – ‘is that really what a Court will do?’ The sense of satisfaction of helping the parties find a solution to their problem which allows them to avoid the stress (and cost) of Court makes the hard work worthwhile.

What do my clients say?

  • Richard mediated an emotive inheritance dispute with skill and tact, swiftly identified where the parties could find common cause and guided them to a settlement effectively. The clients were impressed by his handling of the mediation and appreciated his warm and reassuring manner

    —Elis Gomer, Barrister, St Johns Buildings

  • Richard built rapport and trust with our clients and demonstrably understood their objectives and emotions. He was able to break the deadlock and assist the parties reaching a solution. Richard is amiable, astute and a highly effective mediator.

    —Claire Stewart, Director, Bridge Law

  • I have instructed Richard as mediator for a number of high value commercial disputes and have found his service to be very good and fees competitive. He is always prepared and is able to get to the root of issues in dispute between parties quickly before then proactively seeking out ways to compromise the matter. I personally would recommend his services.

    —David Mann, Partner, Aaron & Partners LLP

  • I've worked with Richard on a number of mediations. He is invariably candid in his approach and well prepared on the facts, the law and the parties' negotiating stances, but his real strength is his 'firm but friendly' manner with lawyers and clients. He's the ideal man for mediations where settlement is an unpalatable necessity.

    —Robert Darbyshire, Barrister, 9 St John Street