Civil and Commercial Mediator
This industry leader in legal research writes:
Alistair Pye has an extensive mediation practice covering a variety of commercial disputes. He exhibits particular strength in construction and associated professional negligence claims.
“He dealt with the parties well and focused on the key issues.” “He is quick to grasp the key issues and is willing to adapt his style depending on the parties, the issues and, most importantly, the personalities.”
The researchers at Legal 500 have published their latest entry for Alistair:
“Alistair Pye ‘combines the skills of his legal background with a calm but authoritative manner. He understands the legal and commercial implications of a case, as well as the importance of carrying the lay client and is able to handle a full range of mediations, including complex ones with multiple parties‘. In 2019, Pye conducted 71 mediations, and has experienced an increase in appointments involving challenged wills, succession issues and claims for proprietary interests in land, as well as agricultural disputes. Additional areas of expertise include construction and engineering, IT, general commercial, property, and professional negligence-related mediations. Work examples include a claim by a holiday park owner against an architect for defects and delays in the development of an indoor swimming pool and leisure facility; and a claim by a restaurant against its insurer’s decision to decline indemnity for a flood damage-related claim.”
Like most mediators I’ve been deep-diving and upskilling – honing my videoconferencing skills. In the pre-pandemic age, I conducted quite a few mediations by telephone or Skype or a combination of the two, but only where sums were small and parties were willing to move straight to the money.
Continue reading “Mediation but not as we know it: Working through COVID-19”
If you are, then it’s important to demonstrate it in your mediation team’s conduct both before and during the mediation.
Continue reading “Are you serious about settlement?”
I’ve been mediating for 10 years (4 of those full-time) and it’s been my privilege to have mediated well over 400 civil disputes of all shapes and sizes. I love the job; it’s a far cry from sitting at my desk or appearing in court fighting my clients’ corner – something I’ve done for over 25 years. Or indeed attending mediations with my clients. That said, you will never hear me decry the litigation process or the people who operate within it. I have the greatest of respect for the legions of really excellent lawyers who are dedicated to their work and their clients, often for far less remuneration than is popularly imagined. What does bother is the constant assault on access to justice pursued by successive governments: the slashing of legal aid, the crazy hike in court fees, the imposition of employment tribunal fees (now abolished following a Supreme Court ruling last year). Unfettered access to justice for all – regardless of means – should be an essential element of civilised society.
Continue reading “Litigation, Mediation, Wisdom and Skill”