An Alternative to Litigation – With Better Outcomes
Litigation is time-consuming, expensive, and often unpredictable. Even where it results in the outcome sought, for most parties it remains an unsatisfactory and disappointing process. As an experienced employment lawyer with 25 years’ experience, Adele Martins knows the toll that litigation takes on the parties – win or lose.
With Employment Tribunal waiting lists meaning that even straightforward claims can often take 18 months to reach a hearing it is usually in the interests of both parties to explore alternative ways to resolve disputes.
Mediation offers a different path. Adele helps parties in litigation step away from the adversarial process and towards resolution. Through structured, impartial and confidential dialogue, Adele supports parties in identifying shared interests, narrowing the issues, and often resolving disputes without the need to.
What Is Mediation?
Mediation is a confidential and voluntary process that brings parties together to explore resolution outside the Tribunal or Court process. Mediation is facilitated by a neutral mediator who helps parties clarify their needs, assess risks, and work towards a mutually acceptable agreement.
Mediation doesn’t replace legal advice — it complements it. Parties attend with or without their legal representatives and retain full control over the outcome.
Why Mediate During Litigation?
✅ Avoid the ongoing cost of litigation – including legal fees, time, and reputational risk.
✅ Swift dispute resolution – many mediations conclude in a single day.
✅ Preserve control – parties retain ownership of the outcome rather than handing the outcome to a Judge.
✅ Creative and flexible – outcomes can include non-financial elements which are beyond the powers of a Court or Tribunal to award.
✅ Even when settlement seems impossible – mediation can shift perspectives and unlock deadlock.
Types of Disputes Mediated
Adele specialises in mediation involving workplace, employment, and civil disputes including:
Unfair dismissal, discrimination, and whistleblowing claims.
Workplace grievances that have escalated into legal proceedings.
Boardroom, partnership, and shareholder disputes.
Disputes between organisations and current or former employees.
Commercial/employment cross-over cases, including breach of contract, restrictive covenants, and settlement of complex exits.
Multi-party claims or disputes with ongoing reputational implications.
Whether you’re a solicitor representing a client or a party seeking a better path forward, mediation can create space for a more commercial outcome.
Why Work with Adele Martins?
As both a mediator and an employment litigator with 25+ years’ experience, Adele brings a blend of legal insight, experience and practical mediation expertise:
Real-world understanding of legal risks and how they land commercially.
Credibility with legal teams – Adele speaks your language and know how to keep the process on track.
Clarity and neutrality – Adele creates a calm and focused, neutral environment for constructive negotiation.
Supportive, structured dialogue – helping parties stay future-focused even when emotions run high
Contact
If you’d like to know more about mediation or discuss a specific situation in confidence, please contact Adele:
