Tim is an independent mediator and a highly experienced, innovative solicitor in the field of civil litigation and dispute resolution.
Tim’s diverse range of experience results from posts held such as: law firm partner for over 20 years, Head of Insurance Litigation, Senior Partner, member of the Law Society's Civil Litigation and ADR Committees, President of FOIL (Forum of Insurance Lawyers) and, currently, chair of the Civil Justice Council’s ADR Committee.
Tim provides specialist services as a mediator and an ADR consultant. He does not do so as a practising solicitor.
Why did you become an independent mediator, having been a partner in a law firm for over 20 years?
Tim Wallis:
“I am drawn to mediation because
it’s what I do best. The evidence I
have seen on both sides of the
Atlantic unequivocally demonstrates
one thing. At mediation the parties,
through skilful negotiation, can get
better, quicker results.
They can expedite resolution.
Sometimes they are delighted with
the outcome, and, at worst, they get
a result they can live with.”
Frances is a senior partner at Pattinson & Brewer Solicitors handling accident and disease work. Frances was formerly President of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and a member of the Civil Justice Council. As mentioned in the adjacent testimonial Frances and Tim have co-mediated a number of industry agreements relating to costs and procedure in the personal injury sector. More recently Frances and Tim have used their mediation skills to assist insurers and personal injury lawyers agree a joint code of behaviour in high value Multi Track personal injury claims (Gazette 20 March 2008). Frances believes that using mediation as a tool has great potential for similar problems where the parties might include insurers, trade unions, government departments and local government. Mediated agreements can provide for non-legal components that courts simply cannot deliver.
Frances will provide mediation services as a practising solicitor and as a partner of Pattinson and Brewer.
To refer a case to mediation print, complete and return a Mediation Booking Form or complete the Online Mediation Booking Form
Tim Wallis and Frances McCarthy worked together at the request of the Civil Justice Council when it was seeking to resolve the personal injury “costs war”.
Lord Phillips of Worth Maltravers, then Master of the Rolls,
welcoming one of the mediated agreements, said:
"I applaud all those who have contributed to this success, in particular to Tim Wallis and Frances McCarthy who have brought this stage to a successful mediated conclusion".
(Civil Justice Council press release.)
“As everybody who has anything to do with the law well knows, the path of the law is strewn with examples of open and shut cases which, somehow, were not; of unanswerable charges which, in the event, were completely answered; of inexplicable conduct which was fully explained; of fixed and unalterable determinations that, by discussion, suffered a change.”
Per Megarry J. John v Rees [1969] 2 All ER 309
