Barrister Mediators
Mediation is a growing field, and more and more barristers are undertaking the training so as to provide the best possible service. The Bar Council publishes a list of barristers trained in mediation as a handy reference for the public and for those working in this developing field. See also below for notes on Arbitration and Early Neutral Evaluation.
The barristers appearing on this list have all completed a training with a mediation training provider which adheres to the following standards: the current course must be at least 25 hours in length and include teaching in mediation procedure and ethics. The course must also include role-playing sessions.
Members of the Bar are well known for their adversarial skills. However, barristers are also skilled at rapidly assimilating information, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses, negotiating with the other side, discussing strategy with clients and advising on likely outcome. It is this range of skills that barristers bring to the task of mediation, and which, with their legal expertise, make them ideally placed to mediate any dispute. When you appoint a barrister as a mediator, you can expect the same high standards and intellectual rigour which they will bring to the rest of their work at the Bar.
The range of experience embodied by barristers on this list will cover mediations on any subject matter, whether it is a commercial dispute, a family matter or a question of professional negligence. This year’s list includes barristers’ areas of specialisation, in order to assist you with your search for the right mediator. It also has an index or barristers by area of specialisation.
For the purpose of dividing the list into the four categories of experience, it includes only those mediations in which the barrister has acted as lead mediator.
This list is available in hard copy. Please contact Natasha Foy for a copy.
Click here for our online version of the Barrister Mediators List.
If you are a barrister mediator and would like to appear on the list, you will need to complete the Mediator's Training and Experience Form.
Download the Mediator's Training and Experience Form.
The ADR Committee has discussed the issue of barristers without a practicing certificate appearing in the List of Barrister Mediators in the past and agreed that the purpose of the List is to promote Barrister Mediators who are members of the practising Bar. It is not intended to promote those who have been called but have never practised or who have ceased to practice. This is consistent with the terms of reference of the Committee (which can be found on the Bar Council’s website at) and the fact that the cost of the List (both print and on-line versions) is borne by the Bar Council from funds collected from practicing Barristers. Therefore only Barristers holding a current Practicing Certificate are eligible for inclusion in the List.
