Graham Cunningham
To book, please contact ADR ODR International on
info@adrodrinternational.com.
Areas of expertise
Computer software, hardware and systems
Commercial agreements (e.g. Distribution, joint ventures agency, technology transfer, R&D, leasing and hiring)
E-commerce and consumer contracts
Commercial agents’ regulations
Partnership disagreements
Trade marks
Copyright
Database rights
Design rights
Telecommunications outsourcing, equipment and services
Franchising agreements
Professional negligence
Data protection and freedom of information
Confidential information issues/breach of confidence
Trade secrets
Counterfeit goods
Merchandising
Domain names and cybersquatting
I have extensive experience of Mediation and have also carried out Early Neutral Evaluations.
Languages
English
Professional Memberships
Accredited by CEDR in 1993
Barrister called by Gray’s Inn 1976
Professional Experience
1991 – date: Barrister in private practice. I have acted as both mediation advocate and mediator in several dozen cases.
1981 -90 – Commercial Lawyer, then Legal Director, Company Secretary and a Member of the Management Board, Wang (UK) Limited.
1978 – 81 – Commercial Lawyer, Intellectual Property Department, Standard Telephones and Cables Limited (UK subsidiary of ITT Corporation).
Style & Approach
The mediation day is the parties’ “day in court”. It is their day. I am there to listen and empathise with the parties’ positions but try to assist them to reach a settlement that is acceptable to both (or all) of them by helping them honestly examine their respective cases.
I am entirely open minded, flexible and take nothing for granted. I adopt a relaxed and informal attitude and try to use humour to put each party at ease. I firmly believe this helps the parties to engage in the mediation process.
Settlement of nearly every dispute is possible if the parties concentrate on their interests – what is the most expedient way of resolving the dispute and putting it behind them – rather than their legal rights, which their lawyers have spent much energy time and expense examining. I work hard to get the parties to a mutually acceptable settlement.
