Consultancy

We provide negotiation and conflict management consultancy services to manage or de-escalate conflict, resolve differences and disputes; and for commercial or business negotiations. We combine our legal expertise with specialist training in advanced negotiation and mediation to design and implement negotiation strategies in a broad range of commercial and business contexts.

Negotiation is the most effective way of managing conflict or resolving it. It is not a soft option or a short cut to splitting the difference. A negotiated resolution is always capable of achieving a better outcome; one which could result in a “win” for both parties, or which could never have been granted by a court.

We provide behind the scenes coaching during an ongoing negotiation or to prepare you or your team for a negotiation, mediation or difficult conversation. We provide consultancy services to conduct a negotiation on your behalf or as part of your negotiation team.

How we can help

  • Negotiation consultancy 
  • Conflict coaching to prepare for difficult or critical conversations
  • Coaching during an ongoing negotiation or to prepare for a negotiation or mediation
  • Commercial and business negotiations
  • Developing and implementing negotiation strategies

“Rachael advised on a series of limbs of action, which she was able to use as a lever to negotiate recoveries over and above what we had either expected, or would likely have achieved through a straightforward court process.”

John Blanchflower

Managing Director, Bridge & York Capital Partners

What others say

 

“Rachael is very skilled at grasping the detail of any commercial case and communicating this in plain English. She is direct and tells you how it is and is extremely patient and organised in her approach in dealing with diverse issues. Her approach makes disputes seem easy.”

kevin morton, Senior Relationship Manager - Major Financial Institution

“We engaged Rachael in a series of professional negligence claims on behalf of a company in administration. Rachael helped enormously to set tailored strategies for each case. I was impressed with her throughout the project. In the first instance she quickly grasped the technical aspects of each case. She was impressive at mediation and proactive in suggesting routes towards the ultimate goal of settlement. Her client care throughout was first class and helped us to achieve success in all claims.”

james dewar, associate director, KPMG

“Rachael represented me in a partnership dispute. She provided a friendly and professional service from our first meeting, where I outlined a complex set of circumstances and the outcome I was trying to achieve. Rachael was able to clearly and concisely get to the heart of the various issues and I was very grateful for her ongoing input and advice. She successfully resolved all issues and negotiated my exit from the partnership in terms which exceeded my expectations.”

FORMER CLIENT

“I worked with Rachael on a number of high value claims which achieved very satisfactory outcomes through mediation. She passionately believed then, and now, in earlier recourse to alternative dispute resolution as a means of achieving better net financial outcomes, and in preserving business relationships. She offers technical excellence, clear thinking and a real focus on both case detail and on the optimal outcome for the client.”
Tom Angus

DIRECTOR, TAGA ADVISORY

“Rachael advised me during a difficult director shareholder dispute. She was very responsive and supportive throughout the negotiation of my exit package and the sale of my shares, which took a number of months. Her knowledge of the law and the tax, corporate and employment advice I needed, combined with her experience in managing disputes with a focus on resolution, was invaluable. She was able to deal with everything including the instruction of an expert to value the business, and employment and corporate solicitors to advise on the various agreements needed to formalise the heads of terms she had negotiated. Her advice made a difficult situation bearable and I have no hesitation in recommending her to other director shareholders.”

DIRECTOR

“Rachael demonstrated a thoughtful, calm and measured as well as practical approach in formulating and delivering good strategic advice as we looked to negotiate a deal.”

lawyer

Shareholder Dispute

Peace dividend: mediation for insolvency disputes

This article first appeared in the May 2022 edition of The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland. Mediation provides opportunities for insolvency practitioners and defender directors to negotiate...

Whether or not there’s a will, there’s a way

This article first appeared in the December 2021 edition of The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland. Mediation is likely to lead to better outcomes than litigation when it comes to inheritance...

Farming: fertile ground for mediation

This article first appeared in the October 2021 edition of The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland. The value of mediation is becoming recognised in agricultural disputes, and not only those...

ADR: get one jump ahead

Scotland is still waiting for legislation supporting the use of mediation in civil disputes, but contract drafters can improve their client's position through dispute resolution provisions One of my...

ODR: The Next Leap Forward

John F Kennedy famously stated in 1959: “When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters – one represents danger and one represents opportunity.” (The quote has been...

Beware of dancing bears: do disputes differently

Have you heard the one about the dancing bear? “Litigation is like dancing with a bear. You decide when the dance starts. The bear decides when it stops”. The sentiment is not a new one. In the late...

Be More Cat

One of my favourite television adverts was the genius O2 campaign “Be More Dog”. You might remember it follows a day in the life of a cat – “I used to be a cat, aloof till lunch then coldly...

Disputes in the Time of Coronavirus

As handshakes are replaced with head nods and the economic impact of the COVID19 pandemic begins to take hold in the UK, businesses need to be more innovative now than ever before. It is difficult...

When Harry met Meghan: A Royal mess fit for a mediator

Yesterday’s statement from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, that they will be stepping back from the Royal Family and work, sent shock waves through the media and the nation. It quickly transpired...

A call for collaboration, cooperation and courage

Tomorrow we take to the polls in what has been, latterly, a roller-coaster campaign trail. Only two weeks ago pollsters YouGov predicted a Conservative landslide with a 68 seat majority. Today its...

Squaring Circles

PHILOSOPHICAL MEANING – to see equally in four directions – up, down, in and out
METAPHORICAL MEANING – attempting anything that seems impossible

Squaring Circles

PHILOSOPHICAL MEANING – to see equally in four directions – up, down, in and out
METAPHORICAL MEANING – attempting anything that seems impossible