Stephen Wood
To book, please contact ADR ODR International on
info@adrodrinternational.com.
Areas of expertise
Profession/s
Solicitor and Mediator
Areas of expertise
• Business Disputes
• Commercial Contracts
• Partnership Disputes
• Shareholder Disputes
• Professional Negligence
• Employment Disputes
• Boundary Disputes
• Contentious Probate Disputes
• Proprietary Estoppel
• Landlord and Tenant
• Consumer Disputes
• Workplace Disputes
Country of Practice
UK
Languages
English
Professional Memberships
Civil Mediation Council Registered Mediator
ADR Group Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator 2011
ADR Group Accredited Workplace Mediator 2013
ADR Group Accredited Online Mediator 2016
Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Mediator)
Member of the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators
Professional Experience
Stephen is a flexible, experienced and enthusiastic Civil & Commercial Mediator and a Workplace Mediator, and has undertaken over 95 paid mediations. Stephen was called as a Barrister (by Gray’s Inn) in 1998 and admitted as a Solicitor in 2002. Stephen is a non-practising Barrister. Stephen practises as a Consultant Dispute Resolution Solicitor in Northampton and was previously a partner and head of litigation in a multi-office firm of solicitors in Northamptonshire. Stephen has experience of commercial, contractual, professional negligence, contentious probate, employment, boundary disputes, property and personal injury claims, and has represented clients as a mediation advocate in a variety of mediations.
In 2017 Stephen was appointed to the Panel of Chairs of the Valuation Tribunal for England, and regularly hears appeals concerning Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates. In 2023 Stephen was appointed as a Magistrate in the Family Court.
Stephen was a judge at the ADR ODR International Online Mediation Competition in 2020. In 2023, 2020 and 2019 Stephen was a judge at the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition in Paris. In 2022 and 2021 Stephen was a judge at the ICC International Online Mediation Competition. Stephen has also been a judge at the INADR International Law School Mediation Competitions in Bologna (in 2023), in Glasgow (in 2017), in Athens (in 2016) and in London (in 2015).
In 2020 Stephen studied negotiation with Yale’s School of Management and also with MIT. In 2017 Stephen studied at Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation. Stephen has studied management courses with London Business School (in 2020) and Birkbeck College (in 2020).
Mediation Style
Stephen is an experienced litigation Solicitor and Company Director and is able to deal effectively with a broad range of mediations. He has worked in dispute resolution for over 23 years, and combines sound commercial acumen with creative thinking and strong analytical skills. A good listener and an empathetic mediator, Stephen is alert to the personal and emotional issues which often need to be overcome to facilitate a successful long-term resolution to a dispute.
Client Feedback
‘I found that you grasped the facts at the outset and helped both parties towards the common ground upon which settlement terms were built. Without your assistance the parties would not have listened to the common sense which demanded settlement. You had a polit but firm manner and worked effectively in gleaning information to enable you to unlock the conflict. I would certainly use your services again.’
Peter McLean-Buechel. Senior Associate Solicitor.
‘The clients felt instantly relaxed in your company, and I think that a settlement would not have been possible but for your encouragement.’
Jak Ward. Associate Solicitor. Smith Partnership Solicitors.
‘During the course of the mediation I was impressed by Stephen’s practical and commercial approach to the dispute, which he steered towards a quick and sensible conclusion and achieved a result with which I was delighted. He made the process productive and painless and I would not hesitate to recommend his services.’
D. P. Mediation Party.
‘Impeccable and excellent service. Mr Wood put the parties at ease and was able to guide both sides to achieve a mutually agreeable settlement. I would definitely use Mr Wood again and would recommend him to others.’
George Smith. Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution. Franklins Solicitors.
‘Firstly I just wanted to thank you for handling the ‘situation’ in such a professional manner. You listened and made me feel at ease. During the meeting I felt that you gave us time to talk but also made sure that the focus of the meeting remained the focus – if you know what I mean. I praised your work to our chair of governors and said that I felt that you worked well for me. I know that work will never be the same but you made the thought of work seem possible. Thank you again.’
Educational Professional. Workplace Mediation Party.
‘A very positive experience for my charitable organization. Stephen’s calm, organized approach enabled resolution of a very contentious matter with a minimum of stress. We appreciated his light touch backed up by a depth of knowledge and understanding of the litigious approach we wished to avoid. He was very good at helping parties explore alternative acceptable outcomes. Highly recommended.’
Head of Governance. Mediation Party.
‘From the start Stephen was highly professional, extremely pragmatic and kept the momentum up at all times. A pleasure to work with and would most definitely use Stephen’s services again if I ever had to do so.’
Managing Director. Mediation Party.
