Mark Mattison

Mark is a highly experienced and commercially minded mediator. He came into the mediation as the matter was heading for trial and he quickly grasped the issues as well as the commercial realities associated with the dispute. During the mediation Mark was very patient and understanding. Whilst the matter was not resolved fully at mediation, the attempts to try and reach a resolution continued for a couple of weeks thereafter. Thankfully an overall settlement was completed a few weeks before trial. Mark played a crucial role in the ongoing without prejudice discussions between the parties. Our client had absolute confidence in the way Mark dealt with the mediation both before during and after and he is to be commended for his excellent performance.

I thought you maintained real momentum throughout the day: in the opening Joint Meeting you ensured that the relevant topics were tabled, and your interventions to reality test each side's position later in the afternoon ensured that the parties could close the gap between them. You ensured a sound and fair process which enabled each party to find its voice and articulate their position.

You have been doing this job for so long it is all second nature. Your manner was even tempered. You encouraged the parties in an objective way. You were not subjectively critical. You guided them to a good resolution for the houses. But whilst they did not reach a resolution on the employment or shares you did achieve focusing their minds and narrowing down their dispute to within £50k.

You managed to get a result in a complex and emotive shareholder dispute, where I suspect a “softer” mediation approach would not have worked.

Following the settlement reached pursuant to the mediation I felt I must place on record my warm appreciation of your efforts as mediator.

Before your appointment (and having had some previous experience of mediations on behalf of clients) I was sceptical of the merits of mediation as a method of resolving disputes but you have changed my opinion about that.

In my opinion you went far above and beyond the call of duty in terms of your application to your task. You were extremely diligent and assiduous in your preparation, unfailingly even handed, calm and patient in your management of the mediation itself but also proactive, resourceful and innovative in your efforts to find a solution acceptable to both sides. You continued to display all those qualities long after the day of the mediation until a final agreement was reached.

Following the settlement reached pursuant to the mediation I felt I must place on record my warm appreciation of your efforts as mediator. Before your appointment (and having had some previous experience of mediations on behalf of clients) I was sceptical of the merits of mediation as a method of resolving disputes but you have changed my opinion about that. In my opinion you went far above and beyond the call of duty in terms of your application to your task. You were extremely diligent and assiduous in your preparation, unfailingly even handed, calm and patient in your management of the mediation itself but also proactive, resourceful and innovative in your efforts to find a solution acceptable to both sides. You continued to display all those qualities long after the day of the mediation until a final agreement was reached.

He is now a very experienced and competent commercial mediator and is held in high regard both by his peers and users. A consistent theme from the feedback is Mark's diligent preparation for mediations which gives confidence to both parties and their advisors that Mark has a "full grasp of the issues", "getting to the nub of the issue quickly" and so quickly "gains their trust" and "gives parties confidence". Several users referred to his skill and tenacity, not only in getting parties to a settlement but also in following up when cases did not settle own the day. One comment stated that Mark handled the mediation process with "skill and diplomacy". Overall Mark can be seen as, in the words of one commentator, "a top class mediator”

Thank you for your informative and insightful meeting through the auspices of CIArb on the 19th December. I look forward to your next presentation.

Thanks to Mark Mattison and Ken Salmon for a well thought out workshop. The knowledge and experience around the room brought the discussions to life. This was a great opportunity to network as well. Many thanks.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators NW and the Association of Northern Mediators presented an excellent annual CPD workshop in Warrington yesterday for aspiring and experienced mediators. Contact either organisation for advice and/or a mediator appointment. Thanks to the capable presenters Mark Mattison and Ken Salmon. Thanks to Mark Mattison and Ken Salmon for a well thought out workshop. The knowledge and experience around the room brought the discussions to life. This was a great opportunity to network as well.

Mark acted as mediator, readily agreed upon by both parties, in a difficult construction dispute earlier this year involving allegations of negligence against our client. He displayed all the skill and tenacity as a mediator which I have, from previous mediations, come to expect. It was clear in the mediation that both parties had been advised as to their risks but evaluated those and their own commercial needs differently. By focusing, separately, on each party's needs for a settlement and getting each to critically examine the areas of weakness in their own case and the costs of going forward, Mark was able to get the parties to move towards a zone in which settlement was possible. Although agreement was not reached on the day of the mediation the work done then by him was the reason a concluded agreement could be achieved shortly afterwards. The work done by Mark before the mediation in understanding the dispute and the commercial impact for both parties enabled him to demonstrate to our client that he understood their case as well as the other side's case and allowed him to gain their trust and confidence. That was a key factor in making progress, through the day, towards settlement. I have no hesitation in recommending Mark as a mediator in construction -related disputes.

I instructed Mark to act as mediator in relation to an acrimonious solicitors partnership dispute. Mark carefully listened to my clients’ concerns and gained their trust from an early stage. Mark made sensible suggestions as to how to effectively progress the mediation and we were able to achieve a favourable settlement which provided the required clean break for the parties. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mark to act as mediator.

Mark Mattison acted in an acrimonious dispute regarding the deferred payment due to the vendor on a earn out. The summaries of the dispute were sent to Mark approx. a week before the mediation. It was evident to all at the mediation that he had a full grasp of the issues in dispute between the parties. After the joint session of which Mark handled with diplomacy and skill the parties retired to their own rooms. Mark skilfully over a period of many hours reduced at each caucus, the amount separating the parties . By the process of emphasising the litigation risks by the end of the day the difference was below £10k. Mark took the view that he would postpone the mediation for two weeks for each party to consider the progress. During the next few days Mark continued by telephone to cajole each party and eventually settled the dispute to the satisfaction of the parties. Having known Mark for many years he is and will continue to be our first point of contact on any forthcoming dispute.

I have known Mark as a top class mediator for many years now. However I have recently had the opportunity to observe him ‘behind the scenes’ as part of my own training as a mediator. I knew Mark was a calm and collected mediator giving the parties confidence in the process, but it was interesting to see how he gets to the nub of the issue quickly and uses this to develop his strategy during the mediation. He took a methodical approach, taking several different approaches as matters developed, ultimately resulting in a successful settlement.

His efficient way of facilitating the parties helped them to avoid reaching an impasse.

He came to the mediation thoroughly prepared and with a solid grasp of the issues. Throughout he was calm, patient, energetic and enthusiastic, seeking always to engender a spirit of compromise.

Managed to challenge with such finesse that the parties did not react badly.

Mark provides value and benefit at every part of the process.

Without your personality and your sheer persuasiveness I do not doubt that this matter would have trundled on to the disadvantage of everyone involved.

Probably the best mediator I have had in the 10 or so mediations that I have taken part in. He played the whole day perfectly. He took an evaluative approach but not to the extent of making comments on who would win or lose the litigation.

Our first experience of Mark and we were impressed. He quickly grasped the legal and commercial issues and knew the parties' respective pressure points. He remained sufficiently impartial whilst never shirking from expressing a view when appropriate. He maintained momentum throughout a long and difficult day and it ended gladly in a commercial and pragmatic settlement.

Quick and thorough grasp of the issues from the outset.

Very direct - no messing, which is what is needed.

Probably the best mediator I have had in the ten or so mediations that I have taken part in. Mark played the whole day perfectly.

Mark has a very efficient style, maintaining good momentum and effective control in his mediations. He is calm, clear and thoughtful. He works patiently towards practical solutions