The new head of one of Cheshire’s longest-established law firms is launching a drive to encourage more people to try mediation instead of rushing to court to resolve a dispute.
Mediation can be much cheaper than a court battle, said Brian Dawson, who takes up his post as senior partner at Walker Smith Way solicitors on 1 October.
He said not enough people know that mediation is an option for both personal matters, such as a dispute with the builder installing your new kitchen, and business disputes, such as a disagreement between two companies over a commercial contract.
A specialist in personal injury and clinical negligence, who is also a deputy district judge, Brian is an accredited mediator.
He said: “You appoint a mediator to help the parties look at the problem from both sides and come up with a solution that is acceptable. Use of mediation is well-known for divorce and childcare arrangements, but people also need to know it can be used for any other kind of dispute.
“It’s quicker, cheaper and quite often more effective than litigation. Nationally, 75 per cent of cases are resolved using mediation. In my experience, 80 to 85 per cent of cases have been settled in this way.”
The drive is one of several initiatives following a reorganisation and announcement of a new senior management team at Walker Smith Way, which from October 1 will have 28 partners and 127 other staff.
The reorganisation follows a 40 per cent growth in business at the 150-year-old firm over the last four years.
Brian, who joined Walker Smith Way in 1982, is an accredited mediator with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Group and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution.
As senior partner, he will be the public face of the firm, as well as instrumental in driving forward new initiatives. Other plans include the further development of customer care and more promotion of the firm’s expertise in areas such as specialist tax and trust planning.
Brian takes over from Gray Prestt who took on the post for a fixed period when it was created in 2001. Brian said: “Gray has done a fantastic job since taking on this brand new post. I’m honoured to have been invited to continue his good work.”
Brian’s colleagues on the new senior management team are:
Gareth Humphreys, who will continue as managing partner, a post he has held since its creation in 2002. Gareth, who worked his way up having joined the firm as a trainee in 1988, is also a deputy district judge.
Angela Woods, group manager for the family, crime and probate departments. With nearly 20 years' experience, Angela specialises in family law and is a civil deputy district judge.
Neil Turnbull, who joined the firm as a trainee in 1991, will be the manager for the personal injury group, which includes clinical negligence, employment and the firm’s large Trade Union department.
Huw Davies, group manager for the commercial property, residential property, agriculture and dispute resolution departments. Huw has spent his 25-year career as a solicitor with Walker Smith Way.
The firm specialises in areas of law covering personal injury, commercial property, agriculture, dispute resolution, domestic conveyancing, employment, family, crime and defence representation, clinical negligence and wills, trusts and probate.
