Our Mediators

Charles has over 30 years of experience helping couples to resolve issues concerning finances and children. He has witnessed court decisions which have been unfair to one party and decisions regarding children which have not appeared to be in the best interest of the individual’s involved. The uncertainty of court proceedings in both outcome and cost caused him to look at the alternative ways of helping people sort out their problems. First this led to collaborative family law and then to mediation. A family mediator will help couples talk about their worries and concerns without argument in the hope and anticipation that they, themselves, will find their own solution through dialogue rather than solicitors’ correspondence and court orders. Charles believes that couples who mediate rather than litigate part on much better terms, understanding that when children are involved their separation will not be the end of their relationship as there will always be children’s’ birthdays, weddings and other family events that will bring them together. In those circumstances it is much better to do so without a feeling of bitterness.

Chris has over thirty years experience in law having practiced since 1972.

A large part of his legal practice work has concerned civil and commercial litigation, specialising in professional negligence, Trust and Will disputes, but also a wide range of general cival/commercial issues involving, for example, property disputes including equitable interests in properties.

He is a qualified Solicitors Advocate (Civil), a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, a member and past-President of the Gloucester and Wiltshire Incorporated Law Society and a qualified civil mediator.

Chris’ interests outside of his work include cooking, collecting fine wine and trekking (in all parts of the world) for charity.

SUSAN LYTTON is a qualified social worker and Child and Family Consultant who has worked for more than 30 years with children and families.  Susan has practised as a family mediator and now frequently works as part of a collaborative inter-disciplinary team integrating the legal, emotional and financial aspects of divorce and separation.  A Child’s Specialist role can offer parents insight into how their child(ren) are coping with the separation or divorce and help parents facilitate time share and practical arrangements for the child.  Susan is skilled in advocating for and consulting with children as to their wishes and feelings and in negotiating with adults to ensure that separation, divorce, residency and contact issues meet the child’s needs.  This can create the basis from which to co-parent effectively thereby securing  the best interests of any child within the family.

Colin Lambert has over 25 years experience of working in Dispute Resolution initially as an Arbitrator working with landlord and tenant disputes.

His working life started as a secondary school teacher working in a London comprehensive school for six years, whilst playing premiership rugby for Harlequins. After qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor in 1985 he built and subsequently sold Lamberts Chartered Surveyors a £2m turnover business in the City of London.  In 2002 he qualified as a Royal Yachting Association sailing instructor and specialised in taking novice crews on transatlantic and offshore adventures whilst building and running Devon Sailing a Royal Yachting Association Sailing School.  Recent years has seen him complete a foundation course in Psychotherapy and Counselling in addition to qualifying as a Family, Civil and Commercial Mediator.

Colin’s depth and breadth of experience is invaluable when building an understanding of client’s needs, hopes and aspirations. In particular his extensive knowledge of finance, property and asset valuations (he is a registered Chartered Valuation Surveyor) assist clients in the preparation of Open Financial Summaries.

In addition he is a trustee and director of Mediation Dorset where he undertakes charitable work as community mediator.

He lives with his wife of 34 years in Sherborne Dorset and is due to become a Grandfather in the summer of 2013.  His hobbies include sailing, skiing and watching Arsenal with his grown up son and daughter.

Alison recognised, many years ago, the need for alternative methods to help couples resolve their issues upon separation or divorce. Litigation is expensive and does little to promote the emotional welfare of the parties involved. Legal aid is, from 1st April 2013, only going to assist couples in very very few cases.

Alison has over thirty years of experience in family law. She has been head of the family law department at her practice, which has offices in Frome and Wells for 25 years. She is a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. As a mediator Alison will work impartially with the couple concerned to explore options and find long lasting solutions to their own issues. The process short circuits the often lengthy exchange of solicitor’s letters, but more importantly, enables the parties to decide on their own outcomes, reducing considerably the expense of any court process.