All solicitors involved in resolving disputes know that personalities often get in the way of an early settlement and sorting out a partnership dispute with all the clashes of personality that listeners of the Archers are used to hearing. This is an opportunity to listen in to a mediation conducted by members of the Manchester Law Society and other guests. It will have full commentary so that those attending will be able to fully appreciate the steps taken along the way with a mediation where hopefully the parties might resolve their differences.

The Agenda

This practical demonstration will show with the benefit of a continual commentary:

• the difficulties of trying to negotiate directly
• the agreement between solicitors to use mediation
• choosing the mediator
• instructing the mediator
• representatives and clients preparing for the mediation
• the mediators arrangements for the mediation
• mediation part 1 the opening session – mediation advocacy in action
• mediation part 2 information gathering in the private meeting
• mediation part 3 narrowing the gap
• mediation part 4 the settlement – Tomlin or not to Tomlin