Stephen Bate

Client Feedback

“Success was to a large extent due to the skill, expertise and persistence of Stephen. I would not hesitate to recommend Stephen as a mediator.” – Partner, London City Law Firm

Languages

English

Overview

Stephen Bate is a full-time CEDR mediator, CEDR-accredited and CMC-registered. Since 2003, he has mediated a very wide range of commercial and other civil disputes with claim values up to £250 million, reflecting his broad experience as a barrister and in other areas of dispute resolution (see below). Who’s Who Legal 2024 ‘recommended’ for commercial mediation / Global and UK Bar categories.

The directory has noted that ‘Stephen .. is known among peers as “a great mediator who is easy to get along with.” He has a first-rate record in high-value commercial disputes across a plethora of sectors.’  The Legal 500 2024 also recommends Stephen as a leading mediator. The directory has noted that his ‘grasp of detail and his ability to mediate pleasantly and persuasively between parties who could not be further apart are the main contributory factors to the success of his mediations.’ Stephen mediates in all modes; physical, virtual and hybrid.

He is passionate about getting the best deal terms for parties in mediation and helping each party get the best outcome / use the process profitably. With his professional background in dispute resolution over many years, Stephen understands the landscape, pitfalls and consequences of legal disputes for businesses and individuals. He uses critical thinking skills to enable parties and advisers to make the best decisions in mediation. In a non-confrontational manner, he is prepared to challenge each side constructively, drawing out essential issues, enabling parties to better understand rival viewpoints and to make/act on an informed risk assessment.

He is author of ‘Resolving Business Disputes / How to get better outcomes from commercial conflicts’, Spiramus Press (2020). The book’s topics include litigation outcome forecasting and decision-making in settlement.

Professional Background

Stephen practiced as a barrister for over 25 years in a wide range of civil and commercial disputes across many business sectors, often advising and representing high profile businesses and individuals. He was consistently ranked in tier 1 of the directories for his barrister work in entertainment law, his specialism. Until September 2017 Stephen was a member of 5RB chambers. As a Chartered Arbitrator, C. Arb., he is appointed by courts, parties and appointing bodies in domestic and international arbitrations and is also on LCAM’s panel of arbitrators: www.arbdb.com.

The following are illustrations of mediations Stephen has conducted in the following areas: commercial, company (including partnership), distribution, agency and joint venture, healthcare, information, communications & technology (ICT), intellectual property, media and entertainment, real estate and property, reputation management, sport and trusts.

Expertise