About Richard Buxton I qualified as a solicitor in 1977 in Holborn and worked as a property specialist until 1987, and was a salaried partner at Field Fisher from 1988 to 1991. I then re-qualified in Singapore and was called to the Bar there in 1994. I worked as a commercial litigator and Advocate in the High Court, including personal injury work, until 1997. I then returned to working as a property lawyer until 2008. I retrained in family law and started my firm, Mortlake Law, in 2012 and retrained further in family mediation in 2014. I became an Accredited Civil and Commercial mediator in 2019, having incorporated Mortlake Law Ltd, trading as Mortlake Law & Mediation earlier that year. My company is now based at 20 Mortlake London SW14 8JN. Alongside my mediation work, I offer One Couple One lawyer service. I specialise in financial remedies for divorce and Tolata cases involving cohabitants and unmarried couples. I have found my background in property law and litigation invaluable in helping me mediate disputes. After 50 years working in law, both London and Singapore have witnessed firsthand the enormous changes, not least the virtual revolution to the digital world. The words” paperless office” was bandied about decades ago, but we have now entered that era! I have trained with UK Mediation, Family Mediators Association and the Society of Mediators. Despite Covid I was able to keep my company going throughout. I have been able to use Zoom for remote mediation which has been accelerated by Covid. All in all, it has been a fascinating journey. I feel privileged to have met some wonderful people in my career. I love to help and advise my clients going through difficult emotional times, whether it is a breakup, divorce, or litigation. I am a member of Resolution and wholeheartedly recommend the wonderful work this organisation does in the world of family law. I am proud to say that I am the exclusively recommended mediation expert in the UK by Advisory Excellence from this year. Contact Richard Buxton LLB (Hons)MSoM Founder & Managing Director Mortlake Law Ltd t/a Mortlake Law & Mediation Email: richard@mortlakelaw.co.uk Tel: 0203 935 9490 www.linkedin.com/in/richardbuxton www.mortlakelaw.co.uk Mindfulness A mediator needs to concentrate not only on the words being used by the participants but also the meaning which is mentally taxing and requires concentration. This is why it is beneficial to work in short sessions often of not more than an hour. The brain consumes oxygen and glucose to maintain high levels of attention and concentration. I encourage breaks to help focus, be alert, pay attention, remain neutral and suspend judgement. Increasing mindfulness requires reflection and training. How do you see the role of mediation involving in the coming years? I expect commercial mediation to play a more significant role in conflict resolution because of: Efficiency - Mediation allows participants to resolve their disputes quickly and with minimal costs compared to litigation. As the number of disputes continues to rise, mediation will be a critical tool in resolving conflicts. Confidentiality Flexibility - Mediation can be customised to fit the needs of the participants wherever they are in the world and in whatever business they may be and from whatever cultures or backgrounds they may have. Sustainability of relationships - Mediation can preserve relationships and promote long-term collaboration. The process allows participants to work together towards a mutually beneficial outcome. Technology • This will help streamline the mediation process to be more efficient and cost effective. • Covid has accelerated this massively. • Cost-mediation is both quick and inexpensive compared with litigation. As businesses become more complex and global, the need for mediation will continue to grow. I’m proud to say that I have been recognised for my mediation work by the Legal 500 and will be in their digital edition from April 2024 WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM 35 CMC Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator Trained Family Mediator Member of the Society of Mediators, The Family Mediators Association and Resolution Advocate & Solicitor (Singapore) – non-practising.
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