Mediation Services
Resolve the problem without letting the dispute take over.
Mediation provides parties in dispute with an opportunity to find their own solution with the assistance of an independent mediator.
It can be used before legal proceedings begin, while a matter is before the Disputes Tribunal or courts, or simply when negotiations between the parties have reached an impasse.
Len Cooper AAMINZ provides mediation throughout Auckland and New Zealand, both in person and online.
Business & Commercial Disputes
Disagreements between business owners, customers, suppliers, contractors, shareholders or business partners can quickly become expensive and disruptive.
Mediation can assist with disputes involving:
Contracts and commercial agreements
Unpaid accounts and disputed invoices
Business partners and shareholders
Supply of goods and services
Contractors and subcontractors
Business relationships
Commercial negotiations that have reached an impasse
The objective is to find a commercially sensible solution and allow everyone to move forward.
Building & Construction Disputes
Building disputes can involve large amounts of information — contracts, plans, variations, invoices, photographs, expert reports, emails and conflicting accounts of what was agreed.
Len's attention to detail and practical approach are particularly well suited to these disputes.
Mediation may assist with disagreements involving:
Residential building work
Renovations
Variations and additional charges
Defective or disputed work
Delays
Final accounts
Payment disputes
Contractors and subcontractors
Property & Unit Title Disputes
Property disputes can become deeply entrenched because the parties often have an ongoing financial or personal relationship.
Mediation can assist with:
Co-ownership disagreements
Unit-title and body-corporate issues
Property-related contracts
Landlord and tenant disputes
Boundary and neighbour disputes
Property expenses and responsibilities
Trust & Family Financial Disputes
Disagreements involving trusts, estates, family property or money can combine complicated financial issues with long-standing personal relationships.
Mediation provides a structured environment in which the practical issues can be separated from the personal conflict and possible solutions explored.
Len has experience assisting with the resolution of complex trust-related disputes.
Civil & Contractual Disputes
Many civil disputes are important enough that they cannot simply be ignored, but not large enough to justify substantial litigation costs.
These are often ideal candidates for mediation.
How mediation works
Len first speaks with the parties to determine whether the matter is suitable for mediation.
Before the mediation, relevant information and documents can be provided so that Len understands the background and principal issues.
During mediation, Len assists the parties to identify the matters in dispute, communicate constructively and explore possible solutions.
Len does not determine who is right or wrong and does not impose a decision.
The parties remain in control.
If agreement is reached, the terms can be recorded. Where appropriate, parties may obtain independent legal advice before entering a binding agreement.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not necessarily.
Parties can participate themselves or involve their lawyers.
For more complicated disputes, Len may recommend that a party obtains independent legal advice. Lawyers are welcome to participate where their involvement will assist the mediation.
Is mediation confidential?
Mediation is ordinarily conducted on a private and confidential basis, with the applicable confidentiality obligations set out in the mediation agreement.
Len will explain these arrangements before mediation begins.
What if we don't settle?
Nobody is forced to reach an agreement.
If the dispute isn't resolved, the parties retain whatever other options are available to them.
Even where complete settlement isn't achieved, mediation can sometimes narrow the issues and provide a clearer understanding of what is actually in dispute.
Start with a conversation
You don't need to know whether mediation is appropriate before contacting Len.
The initial confidential discussion is free and without obligation.
Contact Len Cooper AAMINZ to discuss the dispute and find out whether mediation could help.
021 740 599