Abigail is a trained mediator with significant experience in high value personal injury, industrial disease and clinical negligence claims. Abigail’s ability to deal with strong emotion makes her an ideal mediator in complex and challenging disputes which range from loss of pension rights to liability for severe psychological illness.
Providing training in the benefits of mediation is part of Abigail’s passion for reducing the stress of litigation for parties who need resolution. For example, Abigail addressed the PEOPIL annual conference on the use of mediation in cross-border disputes, where over 25 countries were represented. Last year Abigail participated in a conference in Belfast where the use of mediation in public law cases was considered and compared with the procedure in Germany.
Equally, Abigail continues to develop her mediation skills attending training days with Talk Mediation and professional development events including with APIL, most recently in September 2020. Abigail recognises that at present the emphasis is on remote mediation and she is exploring how to maximise the use of the zoom platform in order that aspects of dispute resolution are not lost due to the process being screen-based.
As an advocate at mediations over recent years, Abigail has insight into how the mediation process is experienced by different parties which enables her to empathise with parties who are reluctant to engage with the process. Abigail understands how to accommodate the needs of those who feel deeply aggrieved or judged by either domestic or professional circumstances and retains her neutrality while facilitating the parties’ progress to resolution.
Training on mediation
- Pro-Manchester 2011
- HICFG (Health Insurers Counter-Fraud Group) 2012
- PEOPIL (Pan-European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers) 2017
- Belfast Conference on Mediation in Public Law 2019