Tony Hughes

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Tony is an experienced dispute resolution lawyer and mediator 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.

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.

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

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 and Fellow of the Civil Mediation council. 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.

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. He set up his own practice in 2006.

WORKPLACE, EMPLOYMENT & COMMUNITY MEDIATION EXPERIENCE

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

Stress including sick leave;
Bullying and "gaslighting";
Manager/employee and employee/employee;
Personality conflicts and communication styles;
Inability to communicate and reluctance to mediate;
False allegations, threats, hurtful comments and grievances;
Charity board and team disputes;
Complex tribunal claims;
Membership conflict;
Community, neighbourhood and environmental issues;
Shareholder disputes;
Partnership and LLP disputes;
Family Business Disputes;
Employment and workplace;
Restrictive covenants and confidential information..

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

EDUCATION

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

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 and District Mediator.

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TESTIMONIALS

“His calm and focused approach was valuable in ensuring we were not only kept involved but well guided through the process.”

“Tony was relaxed and listened carefully. This was a difficult case … Listened well and showed good empathy…recognised the difficulties and discussed how the parties needs could be met”

“Warm, thorough … “

“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.”

General feedback on mediation style

"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 to party in contentious probate dispute

"I just wanted to thank you for your support to work out a way to help us find a way forward. It was much appreciated".

Workplace mediation

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

Comment from lawyer acting for party in Professional Negligence mediation which settled

“Tony was relaxed and listened carefully. This was a difficult case, but Tony was able to reassure the parties their concerns would be addressed… Listened well and showed good empathy…recognised the difficulties and discussed how the parties needs could be met…reflected well…Tony read the agreement to the [parties] clearly and ensured they understood and agreed”

Comments from co-mediator - Bristol Mediation Case 1873

“We received the agreement that you helped parties come to on this case and wanted to let you know it has been passed round the office and greatly admired. [We] think it is an excellent example which reaches the interests (rather than merely the positions) of the parties, and suggests a real connection. I recall you said it was a bit of a job getting there, but it sounds like a job well done.”

Comments from Office caseworker Bristol Mediation – Neighbour Dispute Case 2120