Diversity in Practice.

One of the best things about mediating is the diversity of cases and personalities you deal with on an almost daily basis.

Not unlike legal practice, there is an ever changing array of individual  situations and circumstances however whilst legal practice is conducted against an adversarial backdrop or "civilised warfare" as one barrister aptly described it, mediation enables you to work with the parties to facilitate a solution. Indeed, it is often or usually the disadvantages of litigation that cause parties to embrace a mediated outcome with the obvious benefits that flow.

Another significant difference is that in legal practice you are confronted with on-going files some of which remain current  for months and years. In mediation, whether successful or not, you can close the file and bid the parties goodbye at the end of the day. After decades of legal practice, I find this aspect of mediation very attractive, particularly where parties have found a solution and can move on.

I find however, at least at this stage that it is still handy to retain some contact with the coal face of practice and for this reason I have accepted a consultancy role at Reardon Family Lawyers of Southport.

Driving down to Southport this morning  provided time to ponder these issues. I must say that I  enjoy the opportunity to chew the fat with David and his team about cases they are presently involved in. It is good not to have the ongoing pressures and stresses of  running a practice but at the same time to retain some of the benefits that a link with practice provides. David's positive attitude to practice is refreshing as is the obvious desire he and his team have to achieve an acceptable outcome for his clients in an efficient and cost effective manner.. I am happy to endorse their approach.

Tomorrow it will be back to mediating at Brisbane Mediations for me whilst Reardon Family lawyers will motor on at the coast.

I feel fortunate to have the diversity that mediation and a limited involvement in practice provide and look forward to my days at the coast as time goes by.

For those in need of a referral, Reardon Family Lawyers can be contacted on 5527 0676 and of course Brisbane Mediations on 3839 7400.