The current uncertain economic situation is encouraging more use of mediation. The number of matters coming to mediation has increased sharply since last summer.
 
Core’s Chief Executive, John Sturrock, comments:
 
“Many clients are now looking to achieve certainty and quick resolution of outstanding differences, while controlling costs and managing time as effectively as possible. Traditionally litigation has been used to deal with disputes and claims. Now, however, mediation is available as a credible and useful tool to address problems in a smart and cost-effective manner. Mediation is now being used in a much broader context and is expanding beyond traditional disputes into management issues and contractual and other commercial differences, sometimes known as “deal mediation”. For example we have been involved in
 
•the renegotiation of a commercial deal where, because of a change in property values, the contracting parties found themselves in a changed situation from that envisaged when the original deal was struck. They could have fought it out but, in reality, the best way forward was to look at things afresh. Mediation enabled that to be done.
•working with the chief executives of two large organisations who had a difficult and important joint project to manage. Differences in culture, personalities and expectations had to be addressed. Mediation provided the means by which crucial discussions could be held.”
 
Core’s recent mediations continue to involve plc’s, SME’s, public sector bodies and lawyers from all over the UK and from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, Europe and the USA. Some of these have involved multi-national and cross border projects, contracts and disputes. Recent mediations have taken place in Belfast and London in addition to all parts of Scotland.
 
•“I found the experience of the mediation process stimulating in advancing the positive aspects needed to reach a satisfactory outcome for all parties”
•“Mediation was of immense value”
•“With very complex issues and a lot at stake, it would have been all too easy for the mediation to degenerate into pointless arguments. With your help, all concerned remained on amicable terms and concentrated on the issues, helping us to reach the stage at a civilised hour where both parties were able to reach a satisfactory resolution.”

Clickhere to read an extended piece on the use of mediation in difficult economic times by Core associate and mediator Charlie Woods and John Sturrock.