Harbour Mediation
Commercial & Workplace Mediation
UK & International
About Harbour Mediation
Why Choose Harbour Mediation?
Commercial disputes require an understanding of both the legal arguments and the business context in which they arose. Workplace disputes require a similarly considered approach, recognising the people involved, the working relationships at stake and the wider impact of unresolved conflict on an organisation.
As Founder and Principal Mediator of Harbour Mediation, Nick Cheshire has more than 20 years' experience across the legal and commercial sectors in the UK and internationally. His background includes working in-house as an international commercial contracts manager for global technology companies, including Thales Group, managing multi-million-pound cross-border aerospace and e-security contracts, alongside experience with highly regarded law firms including Gowling WLG and Foot Anstey.
Legal and Commercial Experience
More than 20 years across legal and commercial environments, bringing an understanding of legal issues, business priorities and the practical commercial realities of complex disputes. This experience helps parties explore settlement options that take account of both their legal positions and wider commercial interests.
International Expertise
Experience negotiating and drafting complex multi-million-pound commercial contracts across multiple jurisdictions, drafting and managing UK and European trade mark applications, and working with senior business leaders, lawyers and regulatory bodies on complex commercial agreements.
Workplace Mediation and Organisational Understanding
A practical understanding of the importance of effective working relationships, clear communication and early intervention in workplace conflict. Harbour Mediation works with employers to address workplace disputes through a confidential, impartial and structured process, helping employees explore difficult issues, improve mutual understanding and identify constructive ways forward.
Recognised Professional Qualifications
IMI Qualified and CMC Accredited, combining recognised mediation expertise with substantial legal and commercial experience. Nick is also a CMC Registered Workplace Mediator, bringing specialist mediation experience to workplace disputes alongside his wider commercial background.
Court and Dispute Resolution Experience
Nick studied advanced litigation at City St George's, University of London, giving him an understanding of civil procedure and the role mediation plays within that context. He has experience conducting mediations referred by the courts, including at the prestigious Royal Courts of Justice, complementing a practical understanding of alternative dispute resolution alongside formal legal proceedings.
Harbour Mediation combines professional, impartial independence with legal insight, commercial understanding and a considered approach to workplace conflict. Whether supporting businesses and their legal advisers with complex commercial disputes or helping employers address workplace disagreements, the aim is to move beyond entrenched positions, explore practical solutions and work towards outcomes that enable the people and the businesses involved to move forward.
Harbour Mediation provides professional, impartial and confidential commercial and workplace mediation services across the UK and internationally.
From complex commercial contracts, intellectual property disputes and board-level disagreements to workplace conflict and employment-related disputes, we work with businesses, in-house legal teams, solicitors and employers to explore practical, forward-focused solutions. Our independent, structured approach helps parties work towards resolution while reducing the cost, uncertainty and disruption associated with litigation and prolonged workplace conflict.
"As a commercial mediator, my role is to facilitate a process that allows the parties to move forward on the best terms possible, as an alternative to litigation.
I understand that for businesses and their legal advisers, a successful outcome is not necessarily about winning every point. It is about making informed decisions, managing risk and finding a commercial resolution that allows the parties to retain control over the outcome without the risks and costs associated with court proceedings.
My approach is highly professional, calm and built upon more than 20 years of legal and commercial experience."
Nick Cheshire, Principal Mediator
Contact us
Mediation Practice Areas
We offer mediation services for a range of civil, commercial and workplace disputes, supporting businesses and the legal professionals that advise them to resolve disputes as an alternative court proceedings. Recognised by the courts as a key method of alternative dispute resolution, mediation provides a confidential and constructive way to resolve disputes. It can save time, reduce costs and help parties move forward with greater clarity and control over the outcome.
Exploring the resolution of commercial disputes quickly and confidentially. Controlling costs and securing legally binding certainty without the disruption of court proceedings. From contractual disputes to commercial debts and complex commercial disagreements, we help commercial organisations and their legal advisors retain control over the outcome and move forward.
Building a bridge between contractors and clients, we help keep projects moving forward. From payment and contract disputes to scope changes and quality of work issues, we help parties explore commercially viable resolutions without the disruption and cost of ongoing litigation. Recommended by the courts and compliant with relevant pre-action protocols.
For many businesses intellectual property represents a significant part of their value. We help businesses and their legal advisors explore the issues in dispute and help facilitate commercially viable, legally binding settlements, helping businesses move forward in a forum that ensures trade secrets and sensitive commercial information remains confidential.
Partnership, director and shareholder disputes can be among the most challenging conflicts within a business. When individuals have invested significant time, effort and trust in building a business together, disagreements can become highly personal and commercially significant. We help parties explore the issues and determine the best way forward within a facilitated, confidential environment.
Workplace disputes can have a significant impact on morale, productivity and staff retention if left unresolved. We provide a confidential, structured and constructive workplace mediation process designed to address conflicts at work, helping people feel heard and enabling individuals and organisations to move forward positively. Find out more about our workplace mediation process here. If you are a HR professional and would like to arrange a confidential preliminary discussion to determine next steps, please contact us.
Charities and non-profit organisations often face disputes that involve not only legal and financial considerations, but also governance responsibilities, stakeholder relationships and reputational concerns. Whether the issue involves trustees, partners, suppliers, beneficiaries or internal decision-making, resolving disputes efficiently and sensitively is essential in order to protect the organisation’s mission and resources.
London
Harbour Mediation Limited, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
Devon
Harbour Mediation Limited, 2 Albermarle, Higher Close, Dartington, Totnes, TQ9 6EP
Email: enquiries@harbour-mediation.com
UK & International Mediation
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Civil, Commercial & Workplace Mediation, UK & International
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