OVERVIEW
Frances is a very experienced and able family mediator. She is particularly skilled in mediating in highly emotional situations, either on relationship breakdown or in Inheritance Act/Probate disputes. She is able to help focus the parties on reaching constructive realistic settlements enabling them to put the past dispute behind them in a positive way.
During 2010 Frances completed successfully at least 50 family mediations(including disputes involving very substantial assets, sometimes on an international level) and 8 Inheritance Act/Probate Dispute Mediations. (see also Frances' commercial CV)
LOCATION
Frances is based in Bristol but can mediate nationwide.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Admitted as a solicitor February 1982 where she worked for Kingsley Smith & Co in Kent, moved to Bristol in 1987 where she worked with Battens and then Wood Hodkinson & Co before joining Lyons Davidson in 1999.
Extensive experience in family and Inheritance Act/Probate litigation
FMA Accredited Family Mediator 1996
Founded and managed Family Mediation Department at Lyons Davidson in 1999 for 11 years. Over 20 years of Family Mediation experience.
ADR Accredited Civil Mediator 2002. Helped establish Civil mediation department.
Co-owner with her husband of Progressive Mediation, offering mediation to those that need it at a reasonable price.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Trained in Equalities mediation and mediates disability, race, gender issues in the workplace and elsewhere on behalf of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission
MEMBERSHIPS
- ADR Group Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator
- Civil Mediation Council member
- Family Mediators Association Member
- Reunite Mediator (involving child abductions)
- College of Family Mediators
- Family Mediation Council Member
ENDORSEMENTS
‘ We thank you for your assistance in this matter, our client has indicated that mediation has been a huge help in resolving this issue".
"Can I take this opportunity to thank you for navigating us through these difficult matters, your determination to find common ground and resolution, and the support and encouragement you have given".
"Thank you for helping us to reach an early settlement which we both feel is fair".
"Thanks for the professional way in which you have handled this matter".
"Many thanks for all of your help. We could not have wished for better support".
“ If it hadn’t been for mediation we would have been fighting still.”
“ I really feel that coming to see you we have progressed”.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Frances is married with 3 children and lives in Bristol. Passionate about benefits of mediation. She is involved in the local community; currently involved in organising a festival in a local park and assisting in negotiations about the use of a closed swimming pool in the locality.
