Wallace supports National Mediation Week
November 2005
A range of events and activities are now being held in more than 60 Courts nationwide, including the Central London Civil Justice Centre, where Wallace’s litigation department is regularly involved in cases.
Mediation and other alternative methods of dispute resolution are increasing in popularity as people are realising the benefits of avoiding the courts in certain instances; benefits which include lower costs, less prolonged processes and less formality. Our experience is that those who have taken part in mediation will recommend it to others and will also recommend the lawyers who advocate its use.
Rex Newman, Managing Partner at Wallace, encourages this progressive approach to dispute resolution within the firm. “Obviously mediation is not a panacea to resolve all disputes, but having trained as a mediator myself, I am able to recognise those cases where it can be ideal. For example, a few weeks ago a client was involved in litigation which the issues and personalities made appropriate for mediation. We got a fantastic result - and a very satisfied client - through mediation. Mediation training is now an integral part of our firm's CPD training programme.”
Simon Serota, head of Wallace’s Litigation department, endorses mediation as an emerging practise and an increasingly popular alternative to the courts. “Mediation serves the valuable purpose of resolving disputes in a structured yet informal manner and enables people to avoid litigation where it is not necessary. It never ceases to surprise me when two parties with a dispute undertake mediation and then both walk away happy. “
Richard Schiffer, Consultant at Wallace and Chairman of ADR Group
Richard Schiffer, a Consultant at Wallace, is also the founder and Chairman of the ADR Group, one of the UK market leaders in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Richard is both an American lawyer and English solicitor with an international client base and he also supports the litigation department at Wallace by bringing mediation training and expertise to the firm.
Richard spent the first part of his career in Amsterdam as General Counsel for a major trading and shipping group thereby gaining significant experience in international arbitration. Recognising the shortcomings in international litigation and arbitration, one of his first steps after establishing his own international law practice in London in 1986 was to turn his attention from arbitration to mediation looking for a better way to resolve disputes. He is recognised today as one of the pioneers in this growing field and he is currently a Director and Treasurer of the Civil Mediation Council.