Paul Burton is an ADR Group accredited mediator and specialises in the resolution of commercial and private client disputes.

Paul is a member of the Civil Mediation Council, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates. He was called to the Bar in 1998 and has a wealth of experience of commercial & private client disputes.

Paul has facilitated the resolution of a wide variety of disputes and is astute to the parties’ commercial & financial interests, their personal relationships and ultimately their legal rights & duties. It is possible to resolve disputes by mediation in a way that preserves business interests and ongoing commercial relationships. This is in stark contrast to disputes that are ultimately resolved in court. Private client disputes, particularly those concerning the administration of trusts & estates, have the potential to cause long lasting disruption to family or other personal relationships. By mediating parties have the best opportunity to reduce the risk of damaging personal relationships and in some mediations parties can actually be reconciled.

Litigation is often an expensive exercise in terms of both time and money. Commercial parties often find the ‘time cost’ of litigation outweighs the financial expenditure. Litigation is a distraction from business and presents an ongoing & unknown level of risk until the trial and any appeals are ultimately concluded. Mediation avoids that risk and puts the parties back in control. Private client parties might not have the same ‘time cost’ issues but for them the emotional cost often outweighs the financial implications of litigation.

Mediation is a cost effective and efficient way to resolve disputes, including complex and high value disputes. The intervention of an independent & skilful mediator can unlock disputes that have become entrenched for some time. It is also important to remember that the parties can resolve their dispute in a way that the courts simply could not. This is one of the great advantages of mediation and has been recognised as such by the court of appeal.

If you would like to discuss how you or your clients can benefit from mediation please feel free to contact Paul. Paul has mediated disputes in the UK and abroad and is available to act as Mediator in the UK and internationally.