Dedicated to helping clients find amicable solutions

Mediator Tom Russell brings a wealth of experience from his long career in the legal profession and specialist knowledge in resolving property cases.
Portrait of Mediator, Tom Russell
Tom Russell with clients during a mediation in a modern, light meeting room
Mediator

Tom Russell

I have been serving clients as a litigation lawyer for over three decades and as a mediator since 2007. During that time, I have represented thousands of people in trials and negotiations about property disputes of all kinds.

Time after time, mediation nearly always produces a better result for clients than litigation.

I have been involved in many successful cases from the County Courts to the High Court to the Court of Appeal. However, the best days are the successful mediations. So often, clients arrive in a state of anxious uncertainty and leave a few hours later empowered by having found an outcome to what seemed like an impossible situation.

I have created Truce Mediation with my Business Manager, Hannah Scothern, so that there are more of these good days for clients. More days when the clients can explore the reasons behind their problems and find a solution by agreement.
I clearly remember the first mediation I attended as a junior solicitor in the 1990s. It was a very positive occasion in which a longstanding dispute was settled within a few hours. I recognised immediately that this was the most pragmatic and emotionally intelligent way of resolving a dispute. I have been a passionate advocate for mediation ever since. A few years later, after I had started work as a barrister, I trained in mediation and started to work as a mediator alongside my legal practice.

You can’t resolve clients’ issues unless you understand the root causes of a situation. This means that you have to understand people and their motivations. In almost every case, a successful mediator should explore the emotional factors in a case, as well as the technical legal issues. An analysis only of the rational often can lead away from the best solution.
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"Tom approaches mediations having the knowledge and experience of the unpredictability of trial litigation. He is able to impress upon clients how an agreed outcome is likely to be preferable to the delay, expense and emotional investment of a fully contested hearing. In his search for a solution he is patient and persistent, and will go the extra mile to help parties reach agreement on terms they can accept."
Solicitor and Barrister of 40 years' experience
"Tom has all of the qualifications and an upbeat personality, possessing all the hallmarks of a charismatic, commercially astute and effective mediator. He is a good listener instantly locking onto the pertinent issues, personable and empathetic, he understands the crucial arguments of the parties and has a pleasant manner which allows him to pacify otherwise contentious situations to provide an environment where productive and positive outcomes are achievable.

He is simply very pleasant to work with and displays great knowledge."
Babul Miah | Solicitor, Larkman Lodh
"Tom takes time to understand a client’s aims and remains focused on those until a resolution is reached. He is able to explain complex issues very clearly to clients and grasps detail quickly.”
Legal 500 | 2023

About mediation

A mediation is a day when all issues can be discussed privately and in confidence. A day when clients can speak frankly and search for positive answers.

Benefits of mediation

Group of people chatting in the background of a modern meeting room
Truce Mediation logo, hands shaking
Benefits of mediation

You're in control

Mediation puts clients in control. There is no outcome unless all parties agree.

Start your journey ->
Close up of hands around a conference table during a mediation
Truce Mediation logo, hands shaking
Benefits of mediation

Explore creative solutions

Agreeing all discussions will be confidential beforehand enables clients to explore all possible avenues to agreement.

Mediation in progress with client engaged in conversation.
Truce Mediation logo, hands shaking
Benefits of mediation

Client focused

Mediation is an informal process which helps clients explore the reasons behind their situation and find their own solutions.

Group of people chatting in the background of a modern meeting room
Truce Mediation logo, hands shaking
Benefits of mediation

You're in control

Mediation puts clients in control. There is no outcome unless all parties agree.

Start your journey ->
Close up of hands around a conference table during a mediation
Truce Mediation logo, hands shaking
Benefits of mediation

Explore creative solutions

Agreeing all discussions will be confidential beforehand enables clients to explore all possible avenues to agreement.

Mediation in progress with client engaged in conversation.
Truce Mediation logo, hands shaking
Benefits of mediation

Client focused

Mediation is an informal process which helps clients explore the reasons behind their situation and find their own solutions.

“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion”
Dale Carnegie
Truce Mediation

Specialisms

All types of Property Dispute

Any situation in which there is uncertainty as to the ownership or usage of land.

Cohabitation Disagreements

Issues between unmarried couples living together, often regarding property ownership and financial contributions when the relationship ends.

Trusts of Land

Situations in which property is held on trust in favour of beneficiaries. This includes some cohabitation cases.

Boundary Disputes

Situations in which owners of neighbouring properties are unsure as to the position or maintenance of boundaries.

Restrictive Covenants

Interpretation and implementation of restrictive covenants and other stipulations as to the use of land.

Rights of way

Disputes over the right to access or cross someone else's property.

Get in touch

Call a truce... let's talk about it.

“Mediation should be undertaken because it could produce the answer of practical importance to these parties”
Lord Justice Ward
FAQs

Mediation advice & answers

1

Why do I need a mediator?

A mediator is an independent person trained to help clients find a common ground and a positive way forward.

Using their training and experience, a mediator will help the clients to identify the issues at the heart of their situation, which will often be different to the formal legal issues in the case, and explore paths to an agreed outcome which benefits everybody.

2

When is the best time to mediate?

Mediation can take place at any time. In general, it is best to try mediation as early as possible to help reduce the amount of time and money spent and open a dialogue involving all stakeholders.

If you have already started a court claim and wish to mediate, the court may be able to pause your case to enable you to do so.

3

Where does a mediation take place?

Mediation can take place in a solicitor’s office, my offices in the Midlands or any other location in the UK preferred by the clients.

We can also arrange a remote mediation (although this is not my recommended best option).

4

Do I need a solicitor for a mediation?

It is not essential to attend mediation with legal representatives, but it is usually preferable for clients to have access to legal advice during the discussions.

5

Is mediation confidential?

Yes. Everything which is said during your mediation is private and cannot be repeated outside the mediation, unless you reach a written signed agreement.

6

How does a mediation end?

If the clients reach agreement, the mediation will end when they sign a settlement agreement. Otherwise, the mediation will end either at a pre-arranged time or when everyone agrees that no further progress is possible.

7

What happens if there isn’t an agreement?

Mediation has a high success rate. But sometimes clients decide to use other options to resolve their situation.

If you make good progress during your mediation but do not quite reach the position of settlement, it can be helpful to resume mediation on another day.

Truce Mediation

Fees

I charge a daily rate, based on the value and complexity of the case, payment of which is usually shared equally between the clients. This fixed fee will include all preparation work, including pre-mediation discussions with clients and/or their legal representatives.

I am always happy to discuss fees and try to accommodate any reasonable request or bespoke arrangement. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Contact Us ->
Modern, contemporary meeting space with lot's of light and plants
Tram moving through Nottingham City Centre
Mediator Tom Russell in conversation with clients
Close up image of a business woman's hands during a meeting,
Modern, contemporary meeting space with lot's of light and plants