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All feedback below has been collected by the National Mediator Database from parties attending mediations and from their advisors, or offered by other mediators who have observed one of our mediators mediate as part of their own continuing professional development.
The National Mediator Database is completely independent of mediation1st.
Feedback received from clients or representatives attending a mediation:
''Martin Plowman was totally excellent - we could not have secured a better mediator''.
''Martin leads the way in offering a first class mediation service. He is knowledgeable and commercial, and I cannot recommend him highly enough''.
"I would not have a second's hesitation in recommending Martin Plowman for any level of commercial mediation - he really is an exceptional mediator. He has the gravitas required and has first class people skills - he instantly put our client at ease. He adopted a sensible common-sense approach and was invaluable in securing settlement. We are indebted to him for the professional and good-natured manner he conducted himself throughout the day".
"Martin was subtle but powerful in bringing the parties together in what, very late in the day, appeared to be an intractable dispute between intransigent parties. I would recommend him to my mother, if she was unfortunate enough to need him".
"Martin was superb. He was a calming influence on the day and put my clients at ease. He picked up on the smallest detail and was alert to every comment made. Even the 'smallest' voice was heard and made to feel their opinions counted. Can't recommend him highly enough!"
"I have frankly never seen anything so impressive in ADR as Martin Plowman mediating; it was almost biblical how he managed to change water into Crystal Champagne on Friday just gone. I would (and do) recommend him to anyone who will listen"
"Martin was as good as I had been led to believe. He will undoubtedly be my go to choice for any future mediation".
"Martin was brilliant and conducted the mediation perfectly. My clients and I could not fault his approach, which was direct, honest, but fair. He had a good understanding of the matter and put my clients at ease immediately. I would recommend Martin without hesitation".
"Excellent mediator, faultless execution and careful control of the client's expectations".
''We felt we must thank you personally for the utmost attention and help which you provided and we are sure that your influence and charisma was a great part in securing a settlement to bring an end to what has been a most difficult time and we are extremely grateful''.
''Martin is excellent and the best mediator I have used. He knows the law to guide the parties as necessary, but also brokers useful discussions where they help, and is brilliant at bringing disputes to a sensible end''.
"Martin is head and shoulders over other mediators working at the moment".
"I was very impressed with [Martin's] command of the process; much better than I have come across before in the mediations I have done (which are fairly numerous!)".
''I have no hesitation in recommending Martin to clients. His patient, realistic and commercial approach inspires confidence. Extremely effective''.
"Martin Plowman did a fantastic job of managing a difficult claimant and resolving what looked to be an unsettleable claim. 5 stars!"
"Excellent mediator - probably the best".
"Martin Plowman is a mediator of real skill and reassuring expertise".
"Excellent. Great with clients and lawyers - highly recommended".
"Thank you for an exceptional service - the mediation was enjoyable as well as extremely professional".
''Martin Plowman is amazing at what he does. All other legal services feel like a cost - this feels like an investment''.
''Martin was courteous, professional and perceptive. We would recommend him to all our contacts''.
"Martin Plowman is amazingly skilful. I would use him again without hesitation".
''On the day we knew very quickly that we had the right mediator''.
"Martin Plowman is at the forefront of the mediation industry. We never have any hesitation in involving Martin in a mediation!"
''The mediator was Martin Plowman of mediation-1st. He did a truly outstanding job in resolving a very difficult dispute and I have no hesitation in recommending his services to all of you should you need a good mediator for the future. I also found him very easy to work with, with a very good manner in handling the clients''.
"Martin had the situation and level of feeling involved totally weighed up. Very intuitive".
''Mr Plowman was excellent, one of the best mediators I have worked with. He was calm, pleasant, very commercially aware and had sufficient clout to facilitate a settlement in a multiparty action where the parties had fairly entrenched positions".
"Martin was extremely influential in reaching settlement and we were highly impressed with his approach and his methods".
"Martin worked with the parties from 9.30am to 7.00pm producing a settlement which neither party had considered possible at the start of the day".
''I would like to put on record my gratitude for the superb job that you did bringing this very difficult matter to a conclusion. I have done a number of mediations and rank you with the best. I would have no hesitation in recommending you in the future''.
''First class mediator and incredible value for money to bring a protracted claim to a conclusion''.
"Martin is the best mediator I have come across. He is far more effective than certain others who appear to just go through the usual motions. He is also brilliant value for money compared with others who see mediation as a bit of a jolly and a nice little earner".
"Matin Plowman's reputation is well deserved. An excellent mediator. It is a credit to his dedication and patience that a settlement was reached on the day in difficult circumstances where one party was unrepresented".
"I cannot fault Martin Plowman or the service. Martin managed an extremely emotional dispute calmly and professionally and he will be my first port of call in the future".
"Our first experience of Mediation. We were apprehensive about the process but Mr Plowman put us at ease and handled the matter in an exemplary manner".
''Thank you so much for your measured interventions. You succeeded in moving the parties from a position of total intransigence to compromise. Excellent result''.
"Martin did an amazing job. We did not expect to settle, but we did and the result was excellent ".
''Martin's input was critical to my clients obtaining an acceptable settlement. The service he provides is second to none in the Eastern Region and, I would speculate, far beyond''.
"I am amazed this case settled - largely down to Martin. Thanks!'
''Martin Plowman is one of the best mediators around. He gets to grips rapidly with the issues and keeps everyone focused on the commercial reality of the case ending up at trial''.
"Martin had been recommended by a number of other people prior to the mediation. We were certainly not disappointed on the day. Martin had a clear grasp of the legal and evidential issues, balanced with a commercial approach to the realities of litigation. I would have no hesitation in using him again, or recommending him to others".
''Mr Plowman was excellent in every way. We will definitely be using him again''.
"The mediator, Martin Plowman, was first class. His mediation skills assisted the parties in settling the unsettlable. He also stayed with the parties until midnight on the day of mediation until the deal was concluded. I would use Mr Plowman again without hesitation and also recommend to others".
''To say that you are a ''go the extra mile'' person is an understatement. You slightly misstate the position when you say at the outset that it doesn't matter to you if the parties reach an agreement, because you actually convey unequivocally to the parties how much you care about the process and getting the parties to see sense. That is a rare commodity even among mediators these days. Quite a few of the big name mediators wholeheartedly still believe in the process but have lost the zest for individual mediations because they have done so many. You are exceptional because you have the experience of having done so many mediations and yet you have not become jaded by the experience''.
''In a society that is plunged in turmoil and disagreement it provided great relief and comfort to witness your skills and diplomacy in focusing straight on and resolving the problem. Your professional services provided a panacea to conflict''.
''Martin Plowman was first class as ever. He is the best mediator in this area and always our first choice''.
"MP completely understood the case. He helped to facilitate the settlement which had completely eluded the parties in pre-action protocol exchanges. He was robust but completely adaptable, changing his approach to suit the other party's preferences but keeping his eye on the task in hand. His manner was easy but perceptive".
''Excellent service, especially as I was a litigant in person, Mr Plowman took time to explain the legal minutiae and how this would affect the claim and any settlement''.
''He was very professional and yet human''.
"Mr Plowman was very approachable and businesslike. The litigation risk was identified and clearly explained to the client. I have to say that circumstances were such that I did not expect an agreement between the parties to emerge from the mediation. Mr Plowman is to be congratulated".
"I can tell you that your straightforward, considered and understated approach gave great confidence to my client".
''I was amazed at what you were able to achieve''.
"You helped the parties achieve settlement against all the odds. Thank you".
''Thank you for the settlement expertly achieved. It was an impressive alternative to the full Monty and I will certainly recommend you and mediation-1st ''.
''Your commitment and unsparing work to find a solution acceptable to both was most impressive''.
''Martin Plowman at mediation-1st is a first rate mediator. He is well briefed and courteous to lay and professional clients alike. He has a commanding yet warm manner with clients and they feel content at the end of the process that they have taken ownership of the settlement''.
''Please accept our sincere thanks for all your help yesterday - whilst it's not the most fun afternoon any of us have had for a while (!) it was a pleasure to deal with such a professional and helpful communicator''.
''I felt Mr Plowman was very professional. He made me feel at ease. Although the result was not quite what I wanted, I felt Mr Plowman was first rate. I would recommend him to anyone''.
"Very impressive throughout".
''We were filled with admiration for your skill and resourcefulness, human understanding and basically your brilliant handling of what appeared a very thorny situation for us''.
''We still talk about the mediation and your diplomacy and humour in dealing with a very difficult and emotional situation''.
''You were so calm and reassuring and I was amazed at the outcome. I feel as though you did the very best on my behalf, I couldn't have asked for more''.
''Martin was superb. My client was extremely happy with the result''.
''I have seen a good number of mediators in action over the last 10 years or so and thought you demonstrated great skill and patience and was very impressed by your handling of this dispute''.
''There is nothing to improve upon. Martin is an excellent mediator. My clients were very impressed with Martin as was I''.
''It was heartening that we were able to resolve this dispute so successfully. I know that the process, and particularly the way in which you conducted the mediation, made the whole experience less painful for my lay client that would otherwise have been the case''.
"Very constructive and imaginative in appraoch. Appeared to secure the confidence of both parties very readily. I will use again".
"10/10. Very pleased with the mediator and the mediation process".
''...we were made to feel relaxed and at ease whilst talking with you, which is great considering we were a little daunted by the whole situation''.
''Many thanks again for your considerable input yesterday in bringing this difficult and unfortunate case to a satisfactory conclusion. As ever your patience was rewarded!''
''Thank you for your efforts in reaching a settlement. I viewed this case as particularly difficult and was not at all optimistic about the outcome''.
''Many thanks for your help yesterday. I was particularly impressed that we never seemed to be leaned on''.
''Your sympathetic and professional approach was much appreciated. I never thought this could have been resolved. This I can only put down to your experience of similar disputes''.
"Martin managed to help us achieve a sensible commercial settlement in a case fraught with emotion and animosity between the parties. He remains my 'go to' mediator".
''We sincerely hope (this is meant in the nicest possible way) that we don't have to meet again, but should we find ourselves in a similar position in the future we would have no hesitation in acquiring your very professional services''.
''May I take this opportunity to thank you for your excellent mediation in what was undoubtedly a difficult case. We were both delighted with the result''.
''Thank you very much for making what seemed a tricky challenge if not exactly ''easy'' then certainly relatively pain free...and above all, done! Both of us very much appreciated not just your professional expertise - the place was positively oozing with it - but your kindness and patience''.
''I thought you did an outstanding job in helping to resolve a very difficult dispute, taking into account the number of complex legal issues, the extent of personal feeling involved between the parties and the significant sums issue. I found your approach throughout the day to be highly constructive and you dealt with the personalities involved very skilfully. I would have no hesitation in recommending you''.
''We would like to thank you for negotiating an efficient out of court settlement...[your fee] was a small sum of money to pay for such a flawless service from initial contact right through to completion''.
''The sum of money involved in our claim must appear trivial compared to some disputes you must have handled in the past, yet the proceedings were handled almost oblivious to the actual value but rather more importantly to the fairness to the parties involved''.
''Yours is an excellent service and the first bill I have ever been happy to pay''.
''Your cool and quiet manner poured oil on much troubled water, which has simmered for some 18 months, and at times nearly boiled over''.
''I found the mediation to be a very positive experience''.
''We both felt the way you went about things, the complete sense of ''fair play'' (wow is that sadly lacking in today's society!), professionalism and empathy were faultless. Thank you''.
''You can't imagine how I was dreading the day but now feel so relieved that we can move on after your tactful resolution of the situation''.
''I am convinced that without your skills as a Mediator this unfortunate dispute would still be running on unresolved''.
"I thought that Martin Plowman did a very good job in difficult and to a degree hostile circumstances. My clients are very happy with the result."
"Mr Plowman was excellent. He was very clever in the way he handled our situation. Very professional".
"Martin had an excellent rapport with the client who was initially very nervous but was put at ease very quickly".
"Martin managed to mediate a settlement in a case which my clients thought was inevitably bound for court...by far the best mediator I have used".
''Let me tender thanks for your help and great patience on Monday; without them the settlement (which very pleasantly surprised me) certainly would not have been achieved''.
''We are astonished at the miracle you worked...[your fee] is a small reward for your skill and patience - and extra hours!''
''If you want to get a dispute resolved, the best money you will spend is on Martin's services''.
'Once again Martin's skill and expertise helped secure a settlement that had looked unlikely".
"Martin was totally unflappable and devised about the only solution that would work".
''Difficult to see how Martin's services can be improved. Excellent''.
"When our solicitor advised us that a mediator would be a good method to resolve our dispute we were unaware of what a mediator was or did. We now know! A big thank you for your expert service which proved to be essential. As the day progressed your professional knowledge and experience became apparent and more and more important to us. Your appreciation and understanding of both parties' requirements was impressive and emerged during the day with the highest level of patience to reach a satisfactory conclusion for us all. You showed us that mediation is a craft and that you are a master of that craft".
''We can't leave you without expressing our thanks and admiration once again for the manner in which you have conducted this case. We have learned a lot about the law, but we have also learned something about how to conduct disputes, and work towards a peaceful resolution. We have been on your website and seen the accolades from satisfied customers. You probably don't need any more, but we would like to put our names at the bottom and say, ''All of the above are true''
''Many many thanks to Martin Plowman!!''
Feedback received from an independent mediator after observing Martin mediate:
"I was reflecting on [the mediation in which I observed you] and in particular it struck me that you seem to have an intuitive sense of where people might move to.
The contrast with the other mediator I observed recently was remarkable in that respect.
This skill plus the fact that you are constantly able to understand issues by your wide and quick recall of law - which you wear lightly and simply use to inform yourself and direct the mediation, never to advise - puts you in a pretty unique position.
I feel quite priviliged to see you in action".
"I don't know what magic you worked in there but I'm amazed we settled" (Solicitor in Lease Forfeiture Dispute)
"Richard is a fantastic mediator. I have employed his services on a couple of cases now, and feel his approach is structured and well thought out, whilst clearly being interested in the views of our clients. Both mediations I have had with Richard have been of great benefit in my cases, and I would not hesitate to recommend his services to my colleagues." (Solicitor in a construction dispute)
"If it's in my gift I'll instruct you for all my mediations" (Counsel at mediation).
"Your warm upbeat manner kept us here longer than we would have stayed otherwise and then we settled. We are very grateful" (Defendants in a family property dispute).
"I was very impressed with Richard's conduct and attitude throughout. He guided the parties to a settlement in difficult circumstances and they would not have managed that without him." (Solicitor in a Construction Dispute)
"Richard dealt with a relatively low value matter but which was particularly important to the parties effectively leading to positive result that both parties appeared happy with." (Solicitor in Breach of Fiduciary Duty Agency Dispute)
"Richard was excellent and a real 'breath of fresh air' dealt with frustrating occurrences perfectly; echoed the client's concerns and really got stuck in. Would have no hesitation in using Richard in the future"(Solicitor in Construction dispute)
"Excellent mediation. Thanks for all your effort on this."
"Really expert at dealing with the difficulties posed by Zoom Mediations. I do miss the face to face meetings but remote mediations do save considerable time and cost."
"Well prepared, with a good feel for the dynamics of the case, and did a very good job in getting movement from the other party at a time when that appeared unlikely" (Solicitor in Construction Dispute)
"Very pleased with how Richard resolved this. We had been trying to settle the claim for months. Not sure what magic he worked in the other room to make them see sense, but well done!"
"On the morning the mediation was due to take place one of the parties was unable to attend. This was the second time it was cancelled and it was a 3 way mediation, with one of the parties insisting it went ahead. Richard managed this really well and it was because of his intervention that we were able to keep the mediation on track and re-schedule for another day." (Solicitor in Franchise Dispute)
"I'm so glad we settled, I didn't think it would be possible" (Litigation Partner in Solicitors' firm).
"I needed a lot of help with my client, who kept moving the goal posts, backtracking on offers and taking offence. Your persistent and patient explanations of the process and of the risks of his approach kept the mediation on track until eventual settlement" (Counsel at mediation).
"Thank you for all your help, we didn't settle but it was still worth mediating" (Claimant in commercial property dispute).
Polly Langford
''Polly’s professionalism and kind nature instantly put me at ease and instilled confidence that the mediation process would be a success. Her capacity to unravel a complicated scenario was extremely impressive and I would definitely seek her help again should the need arise.''
''We had the pleasure of working with Polly on an issue which had not been resolved for over two years. Polly was organised and got to know the case and the various claims and counterclaims well before the session. Polly dealt impartially and fairly with both sides of the argument. For the entire day, she remained patient, objective, respectful and receptive to the needs of each party and persevered to reach a conclusion acceptable to all. We enjoyed dealing with Polly and should we have a similar issue won’t hesitate to call on Polly.''
