I am a family mediator, registered with the Family Mediation Council and a member of the Family Mediators Association.
I practised as a lawyer for 20 years before re-training as a family mediator with the FMA. I wanted to use my legal skills to do something helping and relational, that made use of my experience of divorce and co-parenting, and my certificates in counselling skills.
Working as a dispute resolution lawyer in a leading City firm taught me how our adversarial legal system tends to entrench, rather than resolve, conflict. And my work as Head of Legal in a technology business negotiating commercial contracts showed me how uncovering the "why" of what a person is asking for in a negotiation can be the key that unlocks creative solutions that meet the needs of all involved.
I am described as "warm, practical and empathetic" in my approach. I value professionalism, integrity, clarity and care. I work alone, or with a co-mediator, depending on the issues involved.
As an FMC registered mediator, I follow the FMC's Code of Practice, maintain appropriate professional development activities, am supported by a supervisor (known as a Professional Practice Consultant), am fully insured, and offer a complaints process.
