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THE EXPERT WITNESS

THE EXPERT WITNESS

Arbitrators are often required to determine issues/disputes which may be scientific, technological or highly specialised.

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#133

#133

You are chairing a three-person Tribunal. The wingers – both female but nothing turns on the issue

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WHY THIS COLUMN?

WHY THIS COLUMN?

A 24hr pause in order to explain why this daily column is written. What does it say? Who is it for?

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THE CLAIMANT’S OVER-ACTIVE LAWYER

THE CLAIMANT’S OVER-ACTIVE LAWYER

MEDIATION You have won the day. You isolated the trouble threatening Claimants Over-Active Lawyer (renamed COAL). You worked your magic on the parties. You created momentum + things fell into place. It is not always like this. Mediation can be derailed. Success is not...

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THE OVER-ACTIVE PLAINTIFF’S LAWYER – EPISODE 5

THE OVER-ACTIVE PLAINTIFF’S LAWYER – EPISODE 5

COMMENT FOR THE DAY MEDIATION Things are going your way but still some hurdles. Your talk with the parties has gone well. You are discussing settlement. But what about the Plaintiff’s Over-Active Lawyer (POAL). His ego is bruised + which is dangerous. You want him...

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THE OVER-ACTIVE PARTY LAWYER EPISODE 4

THE OVER-ACTIVE PARTY LAWYER EPISODE 4

COMMENT FOR THE DAY MEDIATION Can you get the parties + their lawyers to agree to two simultaneous side-by-side meetings? The first with you + the parties. Second – the 2 lawyers working on the detail. You hope so. It is the way forward. You think hard overnight. What...

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THE OVER-ACTIVE PARTY LAWYER – EPISODE #3

THE OVER-ACTIVE PARTY LAWYER – EPISODE #3

COMMENT FOR THE DAY  #93MEDIATION The claimant’s lawyer is over-prominent. He is presenting problems, not solutions. Two matters in your favour. First, the parties earlier good commercial relationship. Second, if there is to be a solution, then there is detail...

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THE ASSERTIVE LAWYER

THE ASSERTIVE LAWYER

COMMENT FOR THE DAY #92 EPISODE 2 MEDIATION You sense you have a problem with the Claimants’ over-active lawyer. He has too much to say. Is it a one-off or a sign of things to come? It’s the latter + the problem is getting bigger, not smaller. Does he have problems...

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THE DOMINATING SOLICITOR EPISODE 1

THE DOMINATING SOLICITOR EPISODE 1

COMMENT FOR THE DAY #91 MEDIATION The scenario. The solicitors representing the two parties to a dispute have advised their clients to pull back from the brink and, instead of going to arbitration, have decided to give mediation a chance. Your appointment as mediator...

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THE MANIPULATIVE ADVOCATE

THE MANIPULATIVE ADVOCATE

COMMENT OF THE DAY #90 FINAL EPISODE #5 Receiving an appointment as Chair is an honour + a reflection of confidence in your ability to handle the many different expectations of being in charge. It is a combination of two matters - first, your inherent character +...

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THE MANIPULATIVE TRADE ADVOCATE

THE MANIPULATIVE TRADE ADVOCATE

COMMENT FOR THE DAY. #89 EPISODE 4 You announce the Board’s decision. “Appellants application for 30min preparation time + 1.30hrs for Reply Submission is refused. The Board has considered all relevant circumstances. There is no need for an adjournment to another...

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THE MANIPULATIVE TRADE REP

THE MANIPULATIVE TRADE REP

COMMENT FOR THE DAY #88 EPISODE 3 The Clock is ticking. The cleaners have not arrived but are edging closer to Holborn Tube. Will the Board agree to press ahead with the 15/30 solution or settle for an adjournment of two months 15m - prepare reply submissions + 30 m...

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THE MANIPULATIVE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

THE MANIPULATIVE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

COMMENT FOR THE DAY #87 Following the narrative, you have an application from the Buyers' trade rep for an adjournment to allow time to prepare + deliver closing submissions. Sellers' trade rep opposes. The Board goes into caucas. You are the chair. Are Buyers...

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THE MANIPULATIVE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

THE MANIPULATIVE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

COMMENT FOR THE DAY #86 ARBITRATION The narrative. You are the chair of an Appeal set down for 3 days. Buyers are appealing a first-tier decision that awarded substantial damages to Sellers. You can sense that the Board believes the Tribunal made the correct decision....

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PRIVATE + CONFIDENTIAL LAST EPISODE

PRIVATE + CONFIDENTIAL LAST EPISODE

COMMENT OF THE DAY #84 MEDIATION I want to conclude this 3 part topic by stressing that “private + confidential” is a means to an end. You, personally, have to be private + confidential. Never become loose-lipped. But the purpose? To get the party to engage/talk/get...

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DISCRETION – EPISODE 2

DISCRETION – EPISODE 2

COMMENT OF THE DAY #83 ARBITRATION The problem of the inconsistent exercise of discretion can be solved by better training. This will enable them to blend their trade knowledge with decision-making experience. No Training means Conflicting Decisions. This is no good...

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PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

COMMENT FOR THE DAY #81 MEDIATION The words "private + confidential" are spoken so often that the real meaning is often lost. In mediation, you have your first private one on one with Party A - there will be more as you gradually strip away the leaves of the...

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“DISCRETION – AGAIN”

“DISCRETION – AGAIN”

COMMENT OF THE DAY #80 #11 ARBITRATION A popular criticism of football referees is their lack of consistency People see two apparently identical incidents in a match. One referee awards a free-kick to Team A and another referee to Team B. But football is fast-moving +...

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“PRIVATE + CONFIDENTIAL”

“PRIVATE + CONFIDENTIAL”

COMMENT FOR THE DAY #73 10 APRIL 2021 MEDIATION The term "Private + Confidential" is often seen as a given. But too often is taken for granted + Mediators need to remind the parties at the beginning of each meeting of the importance + significance of these three...

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“MEDIATION IS NOT ARBITRATION”

“MEDIATION IS NOT ARBITRATION”

COMMENT FOR THE DAY #78 8 MAY 2021 MEDIATION People put Arbitration + Mediation together because they are alternative forms of dispute resolution but the differences are more significant than the similarities. The two processes have different outcomes; different...

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