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Tony Hughes

 

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Tony is an experienced dispute resolution lawyer with an acute understanding of the problems and pitfalls of the judicial system. He is a passionate advocate of the use of negotiation and mediation in the resolution of disputes and is particularly interested in the psychology of conflict resolution.

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Tony was accredited as a mediator with the ADR Group in 1999 and since then has acted as lead mediator, co-mediator, observer and party adviser in a wide range of mediations, specialising in the resolution of commercial disputes. He has given training on the use of mediation, and has facilitated courses on mediation techniques for new and experienced mediators. In 2019 he was a judge in the UK Student Mediation Competition and in the University of the West of England Student Mediation Competition. He is currently Secretary of the Association of South West Mediators.

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He is experienced in handling mediations in-person and using video platforms such as Zoom and Teams for shuttle and "round-table" meetings.

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When not mediating, Tony runs his own legal practice which handles a wide range of commercial, corporate, shareholder and employment disputes. For further information visit https://www.enterpriselaw.co.uk/site/mediation/mediator-bristol-and-south-west/ He is a Civil Mediation Council registered Civil & Commercial and Workplace mediator. As a Trustee, mentor and lead mediator for Resolve West (formerly known as Bristol Mediation) he frequently works with other experienced mediators and is involved in developing mediators and mediation protocols in respect of community mediation services, workplace mediation and conflict coaching. He is also a member of the National Mediation Team training District-level mediators for Rotary Great Britain and Ireland.

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​Tony was awarded an Exhibition in Natural Science to read Law at University College, Oxford. Having obtained a law degree he qualified as a Solicitor with Burges Salmon in 1981. He became an equity partner with Morgan Cole and was Head of Litigation at the Swansea office and left to set up his own practice in 2006.

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MEDIATION EXPERIENCE

Tony’s mediation experience covers a wide range of topics including the following:

  • Shareholder disputes;

  • Partnership and LLP disputes;

  • Family business disputes;

  • Charity board disputes;

  • Employment and workplace;

  • Commercial contracts;

  • NHS contracts;

  • Community, neighbourhood and environmental issues;

  • Restrictive covenants and confidential information;

  • Intellectual property and IT contracts;

  • Professional negligence;

  • Medical issues;

  • Membership conflict;

  • Landlord and tenant matters;

  • Contentious Probate;

  • Multi-party disputes;

  • Right of way, boundary and other property disputes;

  • Wills, Probate, Inheritance Act and Proprietary estoppel disputes.

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LOCATION

Tony lives and works in Bristol but will mediate along the M4 corridor, throughout the Midlands, the South and South West of England as well as South and West Wales.

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EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

MA (Oxon) Jurisprudence

Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales since 1981

ADR Group accredited Mediation Training 1999

CMC Registered Civil/Commercial and Workplace Mediator

Fellow of the Civil Mediation Council

Certificate of Training in Community Mediation - November 2015

CEDR - Certificate in Workplace Mediation May 2019

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INTERESTS

Tony enjoys playing and watching sport, as well as singing and listening to music. He is a long-standing member and Past President of Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club.

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TESTIMONIALS

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"Please pass on my thanks to the mediator for the same reasons as [counsel]. His calm and focused approach was valuable in ensuring we were not only kept involved but well guided through the process.”

Comment from solicitor in contentious probate dispute

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"Thank you for your e-mail and also for your efforts on Wednesday."

(Comment from Solicitor for Party in LLP/shareholder dispute)

 

“… thank you for your assistance yesterday it was very much appreciated.”

Comment from lawyer acting for party in Professional Negligence mediation

 

“Just a quick note to thank you for mediating today. I imagine that it is not easy guiding two parties to reach settlement when they have diametrically opposed views – but you did just that, which [we] are most grateful for.”

(Comments from party in time-limited mediation Civil/Commercial – contract)

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“Relaxed … listened carefully … showed good empathy…recognised the difficulties and discussed how the parties’ needs could be met … warm, thorough … amazing! … really good experience … professional … would recommend.”

(Selection of comments used in feedback on various other cases)

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