Who are we?

Trust Mediation is not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Click here for legal information about the company.

The Board of Trust Mediation. The volunteer directors of the company are:

• Sir Henry Brooke (Chair)
• Martin Cockx
• Jonathan Dingle
• Judith Kelbie
• Frances McCarthy
• Tim Wallis

The Advisory Council

The objectives of the Council are to oversee the work and function of the Board of Trust Mediation, advising it how better to promote and discharge its not-for-profit mediation activities.

The members of the Advisory Council are:

• Lea Brocklebank, Bond Pearce LLP
• Greg Cox, Colemans – ctts
• Colin Ettinger, Irwin Mitchell
• David Fisher, Axa Insurance
• Nick Gunter, Fortis
• Gary McFarlane
• Tony Newman, Allianz
• Rodger Pannone, Pannone LLP
• Rocco Pirozzolo, QBE Insurance (Europe)
• Terry Renouf, Berrymans Lace Mawer
• Paul Ryman-Tubb, Motor Insurers Bureau
• John Spencer, CS2 Lawyers Limited
• John Usher , Legal Advisor to Unite

Why mediate?

Personal injury practitioners, insurers and other parties to personal injury claims use mediation because it works. It offers a unique opportunity for all concerned to engage in mutual consideration of the issues whilst seeing the case independently scrutinised and reality-tested by a neutral third party. Mediation is proportionate and it is effective, economic, and swift.  As Lord Justice Ward says: “The results are astonishingly good.”

Mediation is popular with

• Clients, because it settles cases in a way which involves them.
• Clients because it has the potential to settle cases earlier and reduce costs.
• Organisations that fund personal injury claims, because it can be used as a risk management tool.
• Lawyers, because it provides them with the optimum conditions in which to deploy their negotiation skills.
• Lawyers, because, when skilfully used, mediation can improve profitability and cash-flow.

Mediation defined

Mediation can be described as a process in which a neutral person, the mediator, assists parties to reach a consensual solution to their dispute. At Trust Mediation we believe that these are some of the advantages are:

• Mediation is a flexible procedure that usually leads to settlement.
• Mediation can achieve creative solutions not available in settlement negotiations or at trial.
• Mediation is potentially more effective than a simple joint settlement meeting, especially where the mediator is independent, knowledgeable and skilled in the issues.
• Mediation can reduce conflict.
• Mediation is less stressful for parties than court procedures.
• Mediation can save legal costs and lead to speedier settlements when compared with litigation procedures. (A four hour mediation often costs less than half the cost of a case management conference.)
• Where settlement is not possible mediation can narrow the issues and focus trial preparation.