Independent Mediators are very proud to announce that all ten of our members have been listed in tier one of the mediators section in the new edition of Legal 500 released in September 2021. This is a tremendous achievement for all.
We are delighted with the rankings and are extremely grateful to all our instructing solicitors and clients for their support in helping us to both achieve and maintain them.
Full listings for each of our Mediators can be found below. You can also click through to the mediators individual page (click on their name) to download their CV and see more information.
Stuart Chapman has conducted over 500 mediations since he began mediating in 2008; and is ‘very capable, quickly grasps the issues and the detail of the dispute, and is effective in helping the parties narrow the issues and reach agreement‘. Chapman’s practice covers a broad cross-section of practice areas, including general commercial, construction, insolvency, insurance, partnership, professional negligence and shareholder disputes.
A full-time, independent mediator since 2005, Phillip Howell-Richardson is ‘calm, persuasive and patient; he gains a good grasp of the dispute and effectively ensures that the parties concentrate on the key points that are dividing them, so that the issues can be narrowed and a settlement negotiated‘. Howell-Richardson has over 30 years’ experience in mediating the most complex cases in the UK and internationally; recent claims mediated have involved commercial contracts, banking and finance, fraud, insurance and professional negligence, as well as insolvency, oil and gas, property, IP, employment and environment claims.
Kate Jackson has been working full time as a mediator since 2009, she joined Independent Mediators in 2015. She is described as ‘a fantastic mediator, who is calm, pragmatic and thoughtful‘. Qualified as a lawyer both in England and Wales, and New York, ex-Magic Circle litigator Jackson is experienced in handling high-value, high-profile disputes; and her clients range from large public and international companies to individuals with personal grievances.
Michel Kallipetis QC has ‘a non-judgemental and warm approach – for Michel, it is all about getting the result. He does not stamp his own personality on the mediation‘. Kallipetis, the former head of Littleton Chambers, regularly mediates disputes involving partnerships, banking, insurance and reinsurance, employment, personal injury, and solicitor, valuer and medical negligence claims. He also mediates high-value construction, engineering and commercial disputes, including referrals from the Commercial Court and the Technology and Construction Court.
Jonathan Lloyd-Jones is ‘impressive when dealing with clients – he makes them feel confident in the mediation process, and works extremely hard to get the parties to understand the risks they face and the benefits of settlement‘. Lloyd-Jones’s practice is particularly focused on professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants, architects, surveyors, insurance brokers, and independent financial advisers. He also mediates insurance industry disputes, insolvency matters, claims for restitution based on fraud, and restrictive covenant breaches by departing employees.
Mark Lomas QC is ‘patient, persuasive, yet unassuming and has a very keen eye for knowing what will break a deadlock situation‘. Lomas ceased practice as an advocate in 2009 to devote himself full time to mediation and arbitration; and for approximately 12 years, he has acted regularly as mediator in a wide variety of disputes, in relation to commercial contracts, professional negligence, insurance, banking and financial services, construction, and probate and trusts.
Bill Marsh has been involved full-time in mediation since 1991, Bill ‘builds trust right from the start of the process, and is calm, professional, thorough, friendly and commercial – he is also extremely measured in his approach, while being direct with clients when required’. Marsh’s highly active mediation practice covers a broad range of commercial disputes (both UK and internationally), including commercial contracts, product liability, professional negligence, and insurance and reinsurance, along with shareholder, medical negligence, pensions, IT and shipping issues.
Andrew Paton is ‘just perfect for getting deals done where the parties need a push. He is solutions-focused, and always finds a way to get the parties talking – and early in the process‘. Paton – a former partner at Pinsent Masons LLP – has mediated in excess of 1,200 cases to date, and is particularly experienced in professional negligence claims involving solicitors, barristers, accountants, architects, engineers, surveyors, financial advisers and insurance brokers. He is also active in relation to construction matters, as well as property and commercial claims.
Jane Player ‘gets to the heart of the issues quickly and effectively, cutting through irrelevant considerations, and focusing on what is important; and she is able to handle difficult personalities and sensitive issues. Jane is also commercial, and works hard to focus minds and ensure that the parties see the true alternatives to a negotiated settlement‘. Player focuses on general corporate and contractual claims, fraud and project disputes, including pharmaceutical, energy, technology, IP and media matters; and has particular experience in managing the cross-cultural aspects of joint venture and international shareholder disputes.