AMANDA BUCKLOW

FCIArb (Mediation)

Direct line:       +44 (0)20 7121 8772
E-fax:           +44 (0)7031 159720
Mobile:             +44 (0)7976 924995
Email:              amanda.bucklow@mediate.co.uk
Address: International Dispute Resolution Centre, 70 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1EU
Case Manager   jane@mediate.co.uk / 020 7917 9449

Current Position & Background*

Amanda Bucklow has practised as a full-time commercial mediator since 1996 and is is one a small number of career mediators in the UK. She has 25 years international commercial experience, including 8 years as lead negotiator/commodity trader with RTZ/CRA.
Having studied Law and Business at university, Amanda developed an appreciation of the need for dispute resolution in business and was already practising “mediation” as part of her negotiation and communications practice before her accreditation by CEDR in 1996. Since then she has been appointed as mediator in a wide variety of commercial and employment disputes and has pioneered the use of mediation to support large IT and infrastructure projects (1999).
Amanda is a respected trainer and mentor and has recently trained the first commercial mediators in Greece under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry. Her unique research into the competencies of effective mediators published in 2006, is regarded as the first substantial research project of its kind for the mediator profession. She writes frequently on mediation for a number of law and technical journals as part of her commitment to bringing mediation into the heart of business practice with a regular column in the International Bar Association Mediation Newsletter.
Full biography available online at: http://www.mediate.co.uk
Blog hosted at http://www.blog.AmandaBucklow.co.uk

Main Mediator Practice Areas*

•   IT/Telecoms
•   Regulatory (safety / financial including alleged fraud)
•   Banking and finance/commodities
•   Employment
•   Transport (Rail / Air / Maritime)
•   Automotive (advanced technologies / product development / joint venture)
•   Manufacturing
•   Retail and leisure (including fashion)
•   Distribution / Agency agreements
•   Partnership
•   Public Sector inc PPI/PFI
•   Police / Fire Service / NHS
•   Employment including whistleblowing
•   Personal Injury including stress
•   Professional Negligence including law practices

Experience as a Mediator*

Further to the main practice areas, Amanda has specialised in areas where businesses are developing and using new technologies especially through joint ventures or collaboration agreements. She has a wealth of experience in using mediation to support review of business strategy and new business development.

There is a strong international theme which includes extensive experience in North America, Europe, Africa, China, Japan and the South Pacific. This together with language skills have enabled her to mediate internationally and she has experience of both common law and civil law jurisdictions.

Key words identifying experience in manufacturing, distribution and retail should include:

product development, stereo-lithography, rapid prototyping, time to market, engineering, plastics and polymers, high technology, software, hardware, infrastructure, telecommunications, mobile communications, shipping, internet retail, couture fashion, high street fashion, textile production, design, trademarks, intellectual property.

For employment and organisational disputes key words should include:

dismissal, discrimination (disability, sexual, racial), whistleblowing, professional competence, project teams, leadership, stress and personal injury, long-term illness.

Mediation style*

A style which creates just the right tone to generate communication and mutual understanding between parties in conflict and thus maximise the chances of a truly interest-based outcome. Quick to build trust and rapport with parties especially those reluctant to participate or distrustful of the process and quick to understand the issues and keep people focused on the goal of resolution by getting to the heart of the matter.

There is frequent reference to her obvious experience and skills and “a disarming and matter of fact manner”. A natural and instinctive mediator who is rated for great stamina, perseverance and a non-confrontational manner which belies a firm but facilitative approach.

Code of Conduct*

IMI Code of Professional Conduct
In Place of Strife Code of Conduct for Mediators

Applicable Complaints Process*

IMI Professional Conduct Assessment

Professional Indemnity Insurance*

AXA Insurance UK plc. Scheme managed by Towergate Underwriting Group Limited (Towergate). Indemnity limit of £2m for any one claim.

Professional Affiliations

In Place of Strife, London
http://www.mediate.co.uk
FCIArb (Mediation) Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – in 2008 Amanda was created the first mediation fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators for her contribution to the development of the profession.
http://www.arbitrators.org
The Civil Mediation Council (CMC)
http://civilmediation.org
The Civil Mediation Council is a non-profit making body which promotes the interests of mediation in the UK by acting as interface between Government departments, mediators and mediation users.

Centre for Applied Positive Psychology – founder member
http://www.cappeu.org
International Association of Positive Psychology – Charter Member
http://www.ippanetwork.org/

Fee Rate Information

A typical total fee for a two-party commercial case of average weight would be £3,000 per day, to include reasonable preparation, with an additionally hourly rate of £250 after 6pm. VAT is added where applicable.

Feedback Digest*

This Digest has been prepared by Mark Jackson-Stops, Commercial Mediator and founder, In Place of Strife, London, in line with IMI Guidelines.

Email: mjs@mediate.co.uk

Website: www.mediate.co.uk

Last updated on 24 October 2008
A number of themes on professional and personal style emerged clearly from the feedback reviewed. 20 separate items of feedback have been selected for summarising:

Style
Parties and their advisors feel they are in a safe pair of hands evidenced by clear attention to preparation both of herself and of the parties and a remarkable understanding of the legal, commercial and people issues. There is a strong sense of confidence in Amanda that she is very experienced, hugely skilled and with a “disarming and matter of fact manner”.

The feedback also highlights an real ability to read the underlying dynamics and a commercial understanding which is much appreciated by the parties. Lawyers have found her style supportive and effective in helping them to achieve a positive outcome for their clients. From a number of complex mediations reported on involving multi-party and cross cultural issues with internationally recognised organisations, it is clear that her international negotiation background is recognised as a key ingredient in her effectiveness as is her in-depth knowledge of technology and its use in business. For her breadth and depth of experience she has been described as a “Renaissance woman” by one reviewer.
Other notable comments from parties, particularly in regulated sectors but not exclusively, point to a rare ability to help parties negotiate a settlement which will withstand scrutiny by parties not involved in the mediation.

Preparation
The feedback reports consistent appreciation for engaging with parties at an early stage, coaching and supporting them in using the mediation day to best advantage and a she has formidable memory for facts and detail.

Process Management
Feedback highlights strongly a deft handling of highly sensitive and complex mediations which may also involve high profile parties whilst maintaining pace and progress without overwhelming the parties. Amanda is said to be highly effective in maintaining commitment to the mediation process through a balance of optimism and creative input to engage parties in problem solving.

One summarising quote:
“Getting any sort of agreement was a major achievement in the circumstances. This required a great deal of stamina and ongoing alertness to commercial issues in the context of government policy imperatives over a period of 5 consecutive very long days.”
This summary represents a fair and balanced view of the responses received
Mark Jackson-Stops, Commercial Mediator, London. mjs@mediate.co.uk

Mediation Education and Training

Training and research is a big part of Amanda's practice and she has taken adanced courses in Positive Psychology, Behavioural Science, Health and Safety, training and learning methodologies, and further studies in Law. She has attended the week long Advanced Mediator Training Course (MATA) held in Italy in 2003, 2004 and 2006.
Amanda schedules at least 10 days personal training days per annum into her diary. In 2007, she has attended Harvard Law School for a two week summer programme with the Programme on Negotiation (The New Lawyer with David Hoffman and Susan Daicoff).

Teaching

Amanda is highly regarded as trainer of both foundation skills and advanced mediations skills and has international training experience. Uniquely amongst her peers, she has developed a reputation for teaching and mentoring new and experienced mediators and has been referred to as the “mediator's mediator”. She pioneered a peer review process in 2004 which she developed further as a result of the findings in her research project published in 2006: “The skills, attributes, strengths and behaviours of effective mediators.” Further information can be found on her web site http://www.amandabucklow.co.uk.
2008 Greece: Foundation training of new mediators with accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Publications

To be published January 2009 GeoOlympics (Technical Trade Journal for geological surveying – special supplement for the 2012 Olympics) Mediation – Why you can't do business without it. Article on the use of mediation in large IT and infrastructure projects.
October 2008 Solutions (Law Society Dispute Resolution Journal) - Can you keep a secret? Article about the importance of confidentiality in mediation and the debate around mediator privilege.
August/September 2008 Rail Technology Magazine (Technical Trade Journal for the UK Rail Industry) – Rimini _Poisoned chalice or missed opportunity? Review of major IT and rail infrastructure project.
September 2008 - International Bar Association Newsletter Mediation - Amanda’s Corner - A Second Imaginary Dialogue between Gandalf and Prospero - Insurers and mediation. Co-authored with Charles Middleton-Smith, Hammonds, London.
March 2008 HR & Training Journal (Public Sector/Government Policy) Issue 2 - Let's Mediate
December 2007 International Bar Association Newsletter Mediation – Amanda's Corner - An imaginary dialogue between Gandalf and Prospero on the question of mediators – criteria for appointment … and for reflection? Co-authored with Charles Middleton-Smith, Hammonds, London
August 2007 Solutions - The Magazine for Dispute Resolution for the Law Society - Still Measuring Value - The second instalment of a two-part article about expanding the use of mediation in public law and policy making.
July 2007 International Bar Association Newsletter - Amanda's Corner - Mindfulness: Expanding the use of mediation in Public Law and Policy Making
May 2007 Solutions - The Magazine for Dispute Resolution for the Law Society - Measurable Value - The first part of a two-part article about expanding the use of mediation in public law and policy making.
February 2007 Solutions - The Magazine for Dispute Resolution for the Law Society - Many a true word spoken in jest. Review of the December 2006 MATA Debate.
February 2007 Arbitration - The International Journal of Arbitration, Mediation and Dispute Management Volume 73 Number 1: The Everywhen Mediator Publication of research results and observations into the skills, attributes, strengths and behaviours of effective mediators.
November 2006 Arbitration - The Journal of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Volume 72 Number 4 Unintended Consequences - explores the benefits and risks of regulating mediators and introduces the top level findings of my research completed in April 2006.
4 October 2006 Legal Week - Feature Article: The Personal Touch
Butterworths Mediators on Mediation - extensive commentary