Remember back in December when I cantered to almost victory in a national Mediation Competition?

The winner that day was Lori Pinkerton-Rolet. And since then we have been working to join forces to offer a joint mediation service aimed at the creative industries of all shapes and sizes (but of course also available to anyone with a problem that is stuck – and getting worse).

The result is this fine new venture: Mediation by Design.

Look at the site and the FAQs:

Why do you work as a co-mediation team? Isn’t that adding expense?

The best mediations not only solve the immediate problem – they help the parties achieve emotional closure as well. A co-mediation team approach helps reach that ideal outcome.

Working as a female/male team helps us identify a full range of subtle nuances and move things along faster for the parties. Plus it avoids the usual mediation problem where one party is left alone for a good part of the process.

We work as single mediators and problem-solving consultants if that is what clients prefer.

Why do you focus on design, architecture and creative sectors?

This is where Lori Pinkerton-Rolet has a strong professional career advantage. She’s worked closely with architects, surveyors, graphic designers, photographers and other creative sector clients over many years through BIID, the South Coast Design Forum and Design Brighton.

Charles Crawford’s international diplomatic background including negotiating with war crimes suspects in the Balkans lets him tackle problems of all shapes and sizes.

Do you cover other types of mediation?

Yes. Lori Pinkerton-Rolet has significant experience within the care home sector. Charles Crawford’s experience lends itself to dispute resolution for a broad range of civil and commercial issues and anything with an international angle. We can draw in other mediators or supporting experts with specific professional expertise

I’ve said it before so I’ll say it again. It is utter madness to take problems very far with lawyers without looking very hard at mediation first. The costs can soon spiral out of control and start to be weightier than the substance.

Far better to talk to (say) Lori and myself and begin to start thinking hard both about the costs of losing – and the costs of winning.

If you want to get in touch, do so via this website or the link here. Lori and I await the call.