I am a mediator and lawyer with two decades experience in litigation, corporate law, human rights law and policy. Drawing on my legal background and breadth of experience across the private and public sectors, as a mediator I combine a commercial approach with awareness and understanding of the personal sensitivities involved in any dispute.
I provide the space and support to assist parties and their advocates to develop creative solutions to often complex disagreements.
My mediation practice includes high value commercial and civil claims, workplace, clinical negligence and human rights. I have successfully mediated disputes involving, among other areas, issues of corporate governance, fraud, property, banking and finance, personal injury and employment matters, including designing mediations for highly sensitive claims. I mediate multi-party conflicts and those with unrepresented parties, across the private and public sector.
I am CEDR accredited for both commercial and workplace mediations. In addition to my private practice, I am a member of CEDR’s commercial panel of mediators and clinical negligence mediators approved to conduct mediations for NHS Resolution's Clinical Mediation Scheme.
I provide workplace mediation services for The University of Edinburgh. I also mediate Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) appeals between parents, schools and local authorities.
I started my career at Freshfields where I worked in corporate law, litigation, and Intellectual Property, including a secondment to The London Organising Committee to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I subsequently established a specialism in human rights law and policy at Amnesty International, Hickman & Rose, and INQUEST.
In addition to mediation, I offer coaching and workshops in negotiation strategy. I also facilitate group discussions, allowing for effective dialogue between diverse groups including state bodies and individuals.
I have judged several mediation and negotiation competitions, including the Columbia Law School Harlan Fiske Stone Moot Court, the UK National Mediation Competition in London and the CPR Institute International Mediation Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I was on the panel to judge the finalists.
My c.v. is available here.
Publications:
Contributing Editor (Inquests) Mediating Clinical Claims by Tony Allen, 2018
Research credit in Ten Types of Human by Dexter Dias QC, 2018
Contributed to Inquests: a practitioner’s guide by Leslie Thomas QC, Adam Straw, Daniel Machover and Danny Friedman QC, 2014
Contributed to Where’s Kilbrandon Now?, Report and recommendations from the inquiry into the Scottish youth justice system, 2004
Qualifications:
CEDR accredited mediator
Solicitor (England & Wales)
US Attorney (New York and multi-state Bar)
Masters of Law at Columbia University School of Law, New York, New York
Bachelor of Law, Honours. from Glasgow University.
Professional memberships:
Law Society
American Bar Association
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR)
Civil Mediation Council
Scottish Mediation
Society of Mediators
“I worked with Shona on extremely high profile human rights cases examining state responsibility for deaths of our fellow citizens in custody. Her legal knowledge and analytical skills were first class, and helped me immensely, but I was also struck by the compassion with which she supported the grieving families having to endure the unimaginable ordeal of recreating their loved one’s death. She understands the law; she understands human beings; she cares.”
“Shona is a rarity amongst lawyers. She is much cleverer than she makes out and is very sympathetic to the clients. She knows how to cut a deal. Top rate and good value.”
resolution services
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place” - George Bernard Shaw
I facilitate conversation to develop the forum for creative dispute resolution. In addition to mediation, I facilitate group discussions and listening days for corporate and state bodies and offer coaching and workshops in negotiation strategy for individuals or organisations.
mediation
Mediation can provide a degree of resolution for the parties that litigation and the judicial system alone can fail to. By creating the framework for the parties to design their own settlement, there is space in mediation for a multitude of concerns and personal interests to be included in the outcome, thereby engaging each party with the process rather than having a ruling imposed. This model allows for greater satisfaction with the end agreement.
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process and, in addition to the benefits noted above, can save both time and money.
I am CEDR accredited for both commercial and workplace mediations. In addition to my private practice, I am a member of CEDR’s commercial panel of mediators and of their panel of clinical negligence mediators approved to conduct mediations for NHS Resolution's Clinical Mediation Scheme. I provide workplace mediation for The University of Edinburgh. And I mediate SEND mediations for Prime Resolution, facilitating appeals against local authorities.
Full v.c available here.
My experience in mediation includes:
Aviation
Banking and Finance
Clinical Negligence
Commercial Contracts
Construction and Engineering
Corporate Governance
Ecclesiastical
Education
Employment & Workplace
Energy & Natural Resources
Human Rights
Horticulture and Landscaping
Intellectual Property & Brand Protection
Insurance
Landlord & Tenant
Neighbour & Community
NHS and Healthcare
Partnership/ Shareholders
Police
Property
Sale of Goods and Services
SEND
Sports Law
Trusts, Wills and Probate
I offer early stage mediation and can provide the entire mediation process online which can offer advantages. Creativity in relation to the shape of the mediation process is one such benefit. The mediation can take place in one day or over several, with plenary and break-out sessions available on innovative technological platforms. There can be delays and uncertainties to the standard civil claim process and mediation provides an opportunity to resolve disputes in a time and cost effective manner.
I am a member of the Scottish Mediation Third Sector and Helpline panels and the CMC Fixed Fee Mediation Scheme, and I also mediate community disputes for Tower Hamlets Mediation Project and small claims for The Society of Mediators Free Mediation Project at the Royal Courts of Justice. I am a member of the Civil Mediation Council, Scottish Mediation and Society of Mediators.
I am covered by professional indemnity insurance and adhere to the EU Model Code of Conduct for Mediators, and the CEDR Code of Conduct for Third Party Neutrals. My complaints procedure can be accessed here.
what is mediation?
In this series of short videos I discuss mediation: how to prepare for a mediation, how to utilise joint and private sessions, why it’s always helpful to understand the underlying issues to a dispute, what a ‘win’ looks like in mediation, and more. I will be adding to this series over the coming months. If you have any questions or would like to discuss whether mediation would be appropriate for a particular dispute please get in touch via the contact form and I’ll be happy to respond.
testimonials
“Shona grasped the issues and the background to the ‘maths’ in our matter extremely quickly and in a very human way. I believe her professionalism, impartiality, commercial acumen and negotiation-facilitating skills would benefit very many situations where clients need help to settle disputes they are embroiled in.”
“Over a number of meetings with colleagues Shona delivered a result that was better than we had ever hoped for. The perspective of the colleagues involved shifted and the foundations were laid that enabled trust to be rebuilt. The result for our business was improved levels of colleague engagement and performance, all of which was underpinned by the retention of key colleagues. What was particularly pleasing for me and my leadership colleagues was that those involved in mediation expressed their gratitude to the company for engaging Shona to deliver the mediation that enabled them to rebuild trust. I moved from being a mediation sceptic to an advocate and as such I am personally grateful to Shona.”
“Shona Crallan is an excellent mediator and assisted me and the other side to reach a settlement when at the beginning of the day it seemed far away. Bringing tact, diplomacy and setting realistic limits and managing expectations she brought the parties to closure. I have no hesitation in recommending her in her areas. Top notch. ”
“The mediation certainly was helpful for clarifying matters despite not reaching settlement, and my client is grateful to you for your assistance. We were impressed with the way you were able to accurately and helpfully summarise rather complex matters after hearing them explained only once. We were also grateful for the opportunity to have a structured and facilitated conversation with the other side that probably wouldn’t otherwise have taken place. ”
“Shona’s approach throughout the process was very empathetic and sharp, as well as very personable with all the parties. She helped get the parties to the important points and consider the litigation risks instead of debating the merits of the case. Her valuable assistance, most likely persuaded the claimant to settle as the morning after the mediation a settlement was reached!”
“Shona was incredibly good at building rapport and cut through some very resistant positions right from the start. She was efficient in what she said and made parties feel comfortable. Her strength was having everything at her fingertips while having the confidence to ask for explanation which helped build rapport. Shona got the parties thinking about how to use the mediation to explore the issues that the other side may be concerned about - thinking beyond the scope of the litigation.”
“It was lovely to work with you and I am glad we reached a settlement eventually. I shall of course keep you in mind for future mediations.”
“My mediation experience was a hugely positive one thanks to Shona, who really took the time to understand my case and facilitated the session with professionalism and grace.”
“We are over the moon with this outcome and couldn’t have hoped for better really. I wanted to thank you for your support and kindness throughout the process and for facilitating such a productive and positive meeting.”
“Shona Crallan was amazing. She is knowledgeable, understanding and really knows how to run a mediation to get everyone to say what they need to say. Despite not having the outcome that was needed it was not down to Shona as she did everything right. Would happily recommend shona to everyone.”
“Shona is a rarity amongst lawyers. She is much cleverer than she makes out and is very sympathetic to the clients. She knows how to cut a deal. Top rate and good value.”
“Shona - thank you for assisting a settlement in an extremely difficult mediation which I did not consider likely. We should be delighted to recommend you or work with you in the future.”
“Shona’s mediation style is highly effective and contributes immensely to the positive resolution of conflicts between entrenched parties. It was a pleasure to observe. Shona in action, as she exemplifies a remarkable ability to facilitate constructive dialogue between deeply conflicting parties.
Her approach to mediation is both professional and empathetic, allowing her to manage even the most challenging disputes with ease. She possesses excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, which facilitate clear and effective exchanges between the parties, as well as identifying and allowing the parties to discuss practical and creative solutions for the dispute at hand. In high stress situations Shona possesses a calm and composed demeanour, which helps to de-escalate tensions and ensure that the mediation process is on track. Shona is an outstanding mediator who would be a valuable asset as part of the dispute resolution process.”
“Thank you to Shona for handling a difficult meeting with such compassion.”
“Shona was professional, helpful and imaginative in exploring options throughout the process. She facilitated dialogue in the group sessions and in private sessions struck a good balance between challenging the client’s assumptions and respecting their positions.”
“I just wanted to express my gratitude for the mediation process. I thought you handled it very well and I think the document we agreed on is fair and robust. I think it will really assist in driving the success of the organisation in the future.”
“This has been a very worthwhile exercise. Having you at the helm, a bastion of calm at the centre of this, has been hugely beneficial.”
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