On 11th January 2021 Karin Walker and Suzanne Kingston presented a virtual seminar on “Mediation – working together and learning from each other”
The constraints imposed by lockdown have undoubtedly caused the rise of out-of-court methods of dispute resolution, but particularly mediation about which public awareness has been greatly improved by the need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment meeting (MIAM) prior to the issue of court proceedings.
This webinar centered around the desirability for mediators from all disciplines to share skills and work together looking at evolving methods drawn from different areas of the law. Consideration was given to building an effective team to assist the achievement of a resolution for the parties to the case. Key skills were revisited and reinforced. How to make the most of the virtual world was explored with a view to moving forwards, post COVID, with positivity and purpose.
The webinar took participants through the following.
The huge advances in mediation over the past twelve months
How all disciplines are operating the same process and can learn from each other to provide a more effective way of working
How to build the most effective team within the process to effect resolution for the parties
How to maximise marketing through the breakdown of geographical barriers
How to make the most of a virtual world
Karin Walker joined the Worshipful Company in 2016 and became a Liveryman last year. She set up her own niche family law firm (KGW Family Law, based in Woking, Surrey) in 2012 having previously been a partner in a large Surrey firm. She is a solicitor, mediator, collaborative lawyer and arbitrator and she chaired the Resolution DR committee from 2014-2017. Karin is the author of “A Practical Guide to Divorce for the Silver Separators“.
Suzanne Kingston joined the Company in 2020. Having spent most of her prestigious career as a ‘magic circle’ family lawyer, she became a consultant at Mills and Reeve in 2019. Known as the ‘queen of family arbitration’ due to her role in its inception in the UK and subsequent training, she too is a solicitor, mediator, collaborative lawyer and arbitrator. She is a current member of the Resolution DR committee.
Together Karin and Suzanne have been asked by Henry Brown to take over his training of family lawyers nationally in the method of Hybrid Mediation, an amalgamation of the civil and family models. This method of working was launched nationally on 1st December 2020.