Short Introduction

I love it when I am described as tenacious! I won't let go until I have tried everything possible to find the missing piece of the puzzle that will lead to settlement. I know I am on the right track when someone says "That's it, exactly!". I can be direct when the time is right, to help someone take stock of commercial realities. But only when I have earned it by understanding them and their priorities.

Testimonials

"An incredible choice of mediator, who is extremely bright and able to challenge the parties, progressing matters without time wasting. One of the best I have dealt with having undertaken probably more than 100 mediations"

(Partner, Law Firm)

"I have been through a number of mediations in my career, but this was the first that I came out of with the clear impression that both parties had won and felt positive about the outcome. That is to a large extent down to the incisive and commercial approach that Abigail brought to bear as mediator."

(Partner, Law Firm)

"Abigail was calm and unflappable during our mediation, despite being parachuted into it on one day’s notice, and despite the fact that there appeared to be a clear and unbridgeable gap between the parties at the start of the day. She successfully navigated them to a settlement that not only resolved the dispute but also allowed the parties to reset and resume their business relationship."

(CEO, Online marketplace)

About Work

Abigail has been a full-time mediator and arbitrator since 2017. When in legal practice, she was a corporate lawyer specialising in tax. This involved having a deep understanding of highly technical rules and regulations, and at the same time understanding many different industries and business contexts. She had to find ways through uncertainty and complexity so as to address the commercial needs of her clients. This background has given Abigail a rare combination of the ability to handle the most complex legal issues and factual scenarios and an appreciation of commercial realities in all the areas normally dealt with by a commercial law firm, from real estate and banking, to company and commercial, to employment. Her practice therefore covers a broad range of civil and commercial disputes. She approaches mediation with a problem-solving, negotiator’s perspective. Although her corporate legal practice was non-contentious, she has a good understanding of the litigation process and the importance of evidence from acting as an adjudicator and arbitrator (she is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is regularly appointed as arbitrator by CEDR, the Law Society and clients on an ad hoc basis). She is also vice-chair of a sport disciplinary tribunal.

Expertise

  • Employment & Workplace
  • Commercial & Corporate
  • Construction, Property & Planning
  • Banking, Finance & Insurances
  • Public Sector & Governance
  • Culture, Lifestyle & Sport
  • Equality & Social Justice
  • Industry, Energy & Environment
  • International Trade & Competition
  • Healthcare & Personal Matters
  • Technology, Media & IP

Languages

  • English

Other Awards

Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the UK (non-practising) Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Memberships

Civil Mediation Council