Julia Burns

Having practised as a contentious probate solicitor for nearly two decades, I now work as a mediator at the crossroads of law and human emotion. Since 2019, I have mediated inheritance, trust and estate disputes through my practice, Dove in the Room, which I founded to create a calmer, more constructive way of resolving sensitive and emotionally charged conflicts. I specialise in disputes where grief, difficult family dynamics and financial complexities often collide. My approach is rooted in empathy but also challenge: I describe myself as an “empathetic provocateur”, creating space for people to be heard while also encouraging them to face difficult truths that can unlock progress. Clients often tell me they value the calm clarity I bring to situations that feel overwhelming. I also offer co-mediation, a model designed for complex, multi-party disputes. Working collaboratively with another experienced CEDR mediator (Oliver Hallam) we maintain momentum across multiple rooms, to bring diverse perspectives, and ensure that no party feels overlooked. This approach has proved especially effective in high-value and multi-party family disputes where emotions and logistics can otherwise stall the process. Whether mediating alone or with a co-mediator, I prepare thoroughly by meeting clients before the mediation day. These conversations help build trust, ease anxieties and create the conditions for a constructive process. My focus is always on helping people move forward with outcomes they can live with, so they can move on with their lives in peace.