ADR

Since setting up my own practice in 2004, I have worked as both practitioner in the area of Technology Law and also as dispute resolution provider in the same area. I have become an experienced mediator of disputes in what could broadly be called the technology arena, taking in commercial and intellectual property disputes with a technology focus. I am on the CEDR-Solve panel of mediators for IT/IP disputes. I also act in a decision-making capacity, frequently acting as adjudicator/arbitrator. I have been an adjudicator in the CISAS Scheme, hearing disputes in the electronics and communications industry for a number of years.

I bring to any dispute my years of experience in advising on and acting in disputes, as well as a commercial understanding grounded on my work for clients in a non-contentious capacity, skills which have won me acknowledgements - Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession called me "good news" on the most complex of matters.

I am also receptive to the use of technology where this might assist in efficient handling of a matter: I joined the Technology Sub-committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators when it was formed in 2010 with a remit to examine and report on the use of IT in alternative dispute resolution.

Experience

I have experience as mediator in some 50 cases now, and have acted as adjudicator/arbitrator in over 100 cases.

The following are some examples of work where I have acted as a mediator.

Telecommunications and IT

• Multi-million pound mainframe software licensing dispute with allegations of breach of licence terms leading to substantial sums claimed by way of damages
• Software development and licensing dispute where the remaining dispute concerned areas of future cooperation
• Termination of software development agreement against multi-million pound claim for damages by the user

Intellectual Property

• Dispute concerning contract for the development of a prototype of a novel retail item and claims concerning termination and damages
• Software and licensing dispute where the matters in dispute concerned areas of future cooperation
• Breach of licensing agreement between major US software supplier and major City bank with multi-million claims for unpaid licence fees

Supply of Good and Services

• Termination of major national distribution agreement with large claims and counterclaims concerning the unravelling of a long relationship and the appointment of a replacement
• Rental of warehousing area with associated services which led to a dispute over differing interpretations of the service provision and payment clauses
• Dispute arising out of agreement to transport and store electrical apparatus after alleged negligence caused loss to the apparatus

I have been appointed as an arbitrator in a matter concerning an outsourcing dispute, as well as an expert determiner of a contractual dispute. He is one of the adjudicators on the CISAS panel hearing disputes in the telecommunications sector. He has issued decisions in over 100 cases.

Personal style and feedback

I have received positive feedback from his mediations:

"Richard quickly established a good relationship with my clients based on a thorough understanding of the issues and was able to steer the negotiations to a successful conclusion. His friendly personality helps to ease things along and stops things getting bogged down."
General Counsel, major City of London bank

"RS was brilliant! I was extremely impressed. He was extremely good at what he does and a nice bloke too, which always helps. I would not hesitate to recommend him."
Partner, law firm acting for software developer client

"Richard combines top-notch legal skills with a keen feel for how negotiations are going. He was always ready to think of new ways of getting things back on track and got us to a conclusion the client was very happy with."
Partner, City law firm representing user in dispute over licensing fees

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