Testimonials

As a mediator:

“May we take the opportunity, [names of clients] and I to thank you for your excellent services yesterday, and also in preparation for the mediation. We are most grateful to you” – Solicitor 

“May I take this opportunity to thank you for the wisdom and compassion you showed to me and my son during the mediation meeting.” [Co-mediated] (Party to mediation) 

“We were in a very sticky place. I settled for something I would not have gone anywhere near before the mediation. Hugh’s best skill was opening my mind to the option of drawing a line under this and getting on with my work. Specifically this was achieved by not trying to convince me too much, rather by placing options on the table allowing me to see more clearly the ramifications of whichever path I chose. By not convincing me, I feel far more comfortable with the outcome as I feel I made that decision myself rather than be coerced in any way and then suffer from ‘buyer’s remorse’ after.” – Party to mediation (company director)   

“I cannot thank you enough…your kind and gentle demeanour put me at ease…I am so grateful for your time and expertise.” – Party to mediation (litigant in person)

“Thank you for all your assistance in getting the matter resolved.” – Solicitor

“The service was excellent. Hugh Elder is a fantastic mediator and helped drive the parties toward settlement.” – Solicitor

“It was a great help and understanding of my case in the eye of a neutral person and their assistant.” [Co-mediated]  – Party to mediation (litigant in person)

“Very helpful to consider and narrow issues.  Only unsuccessful due to parties’ positions/ expectations.”   [Co-mediated]  – Barrister

“I have no hesitation in recommending Hugh as a mediator and was impressed that he was able to bring the mediation to a success. Not only was he well prepared for the mediation (having read the papers and had productive pre-mediation discussions) and stayed well beyond the allocated time, but his manner during the day meant that my client felt she was part of the process, which mediators in difficult mediations sometimes forget. This was particularly important in this mediation as the other side had declined the opportunity of an open meeting. I was particularly impressed that Hugh took the time to ask my client to tell him her story and to listen. That made sure that my client felt she was being listened to in circumstances where discussions had mainly occurred through lawyers. Equally important was the realistic view Hugh took in the negotiations. That was important in respect of the early unrealistic offer made by the other side and the honest and open stance taken in the final stages of the negotiations when the lay clients became fraught.” – Barrister

“My client and I are most grateful to you for your thorough and tactful handling of the mediation… You dealt with things in an exemplary manner.”  – Barrister

“We would like to thank you for mediating, your demeanour and skills helped us to work with you towards a positive resolution that enables us to move on.”  – Party to mediation

As an assistant mediator:

“Hugh is a pleasure to work with. His calm, relaxed manner helps him build rapport and win the trust of clients with ease. His wealth of experience as a litigation solicitor enables him to look at the problem and possible resolution from all angles. He is proactive in making sure that a settlement is a workable and comprehensive one, which meets the needs of all parties.” – Leading mediator

As a mediator at a CEDR training mediation:

“We were both very impressed by the way you handled the mediation.  We felt that you had an excellent manner and delivered the mediation in a calm, assured and effective way.  I was really impressed by your use of reality testing and exploration and that you pulled out the extra interests from your clients.  It was very good.”  – Senior CEDR trainer

As a litigation solicitor:

“Good with clients. You can pit him against the best.” – Chambers Directory