Richard O'Sullivan

Video: click here for Richard's personal video

Accredited Mediator (ADRg)
Registered Mediator (Civil Mediation Council)
Elite Mediator (National Mediator Database)
Barrister (since 1999)
Direct Public Access Qualified
Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Likes to quote from Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War (in the sixth century BCE): "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight"
Has a broad common law background
Particular expertise in Construction Law; Regulatory Law; Local Government Law, Land, Leases and Trusts, and Inheritance Act claims
Has worked successfully in multi party commercial cases
Available to mediate throughout the UK and Europe, has particular experience of working with lawyers from Ireland and Italy, has also worked in Malaysia
Founder of a training company working (inter alia) with the BBC, Lloyds of London and firms in the engineering sector.

Recent mediations in which Richard was involved include:

A Lease dilapidations dispute in relation to a prominent London eatery with parties located in Boston & Albania
A construction dispute between parties in France and the UK
A dispute over the family home and Chinese takeaway business between two brothers.
A dispute between Iranian family members over the ownership of a valuable London home, involving on and off shore trusts and low tax company structures.
A provision for family and dependants dispute between the son and sister of the deceased.
A construction dispute regarding the quality of works and delay in respect of stage 2 of a 5 stage planning implementation on a green field site.
A dispute between a former director of a groundworks company and the company regarding share rights and remuneration.
A dispute between landlord and commercial tenant regarding the status and nature of lease protection and extension.
A dispute between directors of a licensed railway maintenance works and plant hire business.
A tri party dispute with former directors of a company and HMRC regarding a failed Capital Gains tax avoidance scheme.

Feedback received from clients or representatives attending a mediation:

"Richard O'Sullivan is a firm, fair and highly experienced mediator. Articulate, proactive and balanced, he is also a superb listener, communicator and convenor. Melding outstanding knowledge of the law with effortless charm, he disports a high degree of emotional intelligence to get the job done. Efficient, effective and robust, he comes highly recommended, without any reservation."

"You are brilliant at what you do" (Lay Client in a Domestic construction Dispute)

"Richard was fantastic, quickly grasped the issues and made helpful assessments of the important ones."

"This was a case where I definitely did not envisage settlement but with Richard's help we did indeed settle ! Brilliant mediator."

"This was one of those cases where settling seemed an impossibility at the start of the day, but still a deal was done. Very many thanks to Richard for his unfailingly calm, polite, friendly manner. He was completely unflappable and I felt that he was completely committed to getting the job done and helping the parties to get a result. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him and to instruct him again."

"Richard was very helpful in drawing the parties to a point where an agreement could be reached. He was also very adept in dealing with various IT issues. Would certainly recommend."

"No remorse here – if anything I’m happier today than I was yesterday. We’ve come away with an opportunity and now my thoughts are around “what can we make from this” rather than the damage limitation mindset of the last 12 months since this first surfaced." (Lay person in a publishing dispute)

"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!"

"Richard was totally and very professionally committed to achieving an outcome that was acceptable to both parties in very difficult circumstances and provided a first class service."

"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 a Franchise Dispute)

"I just wanted to let you know that although it may not have seemed it at times yesterday, I’m very grateful to you for your invaluable assistance at the mediation. I really don’t think that a deal would have been done in this case without your involvement. You were thoroughly professional, positive and committed to helping the parties to reach a deal and for that I am very thankful." (Solicitor in an Estates Dispute)

"I'm so glad we settled, I didn't think it would be possible" (Litigation Partner in Solicitors' firm).

"Richard is very personable and clearly explained the mediation process/purpose to my client. Richard worked diligently on narrowing the issues which facilitated a settlement during mediation. His knowledge on the applicable legal issues/procedures and suggestions on workarounds were particularly helpful."

"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).

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Richard O'Sullivan