Leading Lawyer Reports 250% Rise In The Number of Cases

A leading construction lawyer is reporting a significant rise in the number of commercial disputes which are being settled via mediation.

Steven Bate, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell in Leeds and a CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) accredited mediator, is reporting a 250% increase in the number of cases so far in 2014 compared to 2013 in which mediation has been used to explore a solution to the dispute.

Mediation is a voluntary non-binding private dispute resolution process in which an independent and neutral individual works closely with the parties involved to try and reach a negotiated settlement without going to court.

Commenting on the growth in mediation so far this year, Steven Bate said:

Irwin Mitchell’s construction, engineering and infrastructure team has grown significantly in the last two years. The 15-strong UK-wide team consists of Partners Steven Bate, David Parton and Julie Morrissy, and incorporates a specialist disputes team which advises employers, contractors and professional consultants on any disputes which arise out of construction projects. These include claims for extensions of time or variations, claims by contractors for loss and expense arising out of delayed or disrupted work, and claims by employers for defective works or liquidated damages for late completion of works.