David Richbell
Commercial Mediator & Trainer
Based in the UK and practising since 1992, David is now one of the most experienced commercial mediators (and trainers of commercial mediators) in Europe.
Originally a specialist in Construction, with over 40% of mediations being in the construction and engineering area, but now appointed for a variety of disputes, due to experience alone.
Noted for his real empathy with parties, his patience and tenacity and when required, his robustness. Described in Chambers Directory 2001/2 as,
"Possibly the nicest person in mediation."
Very experienced in multi-party and multi-issue mediations and one of the few mediators experienced in co-mediation. A significant proportion of David's mediations have been international disputes and multi-racial, with mediations across the world. He has also mediated a variety of religious and cross-cultural disputes.
David's professional background is in construction and property and he is on the specialist panel, as well as the main panel of IPOS The Mediation Chambers. He is also a member of PIM Senior Mediators, registered, trained and accredited CEDR mediator and trained with Endispute in Boston (1995) and Harvard (1996). In May 2008 David was awarded his fellowship with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb (Med)). For full details of professional qualifications click on "Download CV".
David has been described as having a,
"refreshingly practical approach to the issues," whilst
"others applaud his reliability and conscientiousness." (Chambers Directory 2008).
David wrote and compiled the CEDR Mediator Handbook and was former Director of Training at CEDR. Co-author of CEDR Continuing Professional Development policy document which was the first document to set the standard for the profession. He also wrote two chapters in Butterworths Mediators on Mediation, Chapter 13 on Mediating Multi-Party disputes and Chapter 17 on Co-Mediation. (ISBN 1-845-92081-3).
His latest book is entitled, 'Mediation of Construction Disputes', published by Blackwells 2008. ISBN: 978-1-4051-6931-8.
"This book is written for users of mediation, whether they be a party, an advisor or an expert. It should also be of help to commercial mediators who have no specialism in construction. Its aim is to encourage confidence in the mediation process and to ensure that those who do use mediation to resolve their disputes do so effectively and so are able to maximise the opportunities that mediation offers."
Click here to read a recent review in The Mediator Directory by David Cornes.
David now leads the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Mediator Training Course as founder member of his sister company Mediation and Training Alternatives (MATA), which specialises in advanced mediator training courses and seminars.
"A fantastic, intuitive mediator."
"Particularly recommended for his ability to gain the confidence of both the parties and, make clients concentrate on the heart of the case"
(Chambers Directory 2005).
