About Harbour Mediation

Founded by Nick Cheshire, a Civil Mediation Council Accredited Mediator with more than 20 years’ commercial and legal experience gained in the UK and internationally. He is a qualified International Mediation Institute mediator and member of the Society of Mediators. His approach is professional, focused and practical, supporting constructive dialogue and facilitating negotiations, while allowing those involved to retain control over the outcome.

As the principal mediator, Nick mediates commercial disputes throughout the UK and internationally, with in-person and secure online mediation available.

Why Choose Harbour Mediation?

Founder and principal mediator Nick Cheshire has more than 20 years' experience across both 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 like Thales Group, where he managed multi-million pound cross-border aerospace and e-security contracts, as well as experience working for highly regarded international law firms including Foot Anstey and Gowling WLG.

He is an IMI Qualified Mediator, a CMC Accredited Mediator and a member of the World Commerce and Contracting Association. He also holds postgraduate qualifications in law and legal practice and has conducted mediations at the prestigious Royal Courts of Justice on behalf of the Society of Mediators.

Many commercial disputes require an understanding of both the legal arguments and the business context in which they arose. Nick's professional background brings these perspectives together.

Mediating complex commercial, contractual and board-level disputes confidentially and cost-effectively. Helping businesses and their legal advisors explore forward focused settlement options without the risk and disruption of legal proceedings.

Whether the dispute involves a commercial contract, business relationship, commercial property dispute or a board level dispute, Harbour Mediation brings an experienced, calm and practical approach to finding a way forward.

"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

Mediation Services

We offer mediation services for a range of civil, commercial and workplace disputes, supporting businesses, individuals and the legal professionals that advise them to resolve disputes as an alternative to time consuming and costly 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.

Commercial lease disputes including dilapidations and disrepair conflicts, rent/payment issues and complex commercial property disagreements. We can help facilitate a practical resolution where you retain control of the outcome. Mediation can take place on-site with your surveyor or legal advisors present or securely online, helping you move forward quickly and cost-effectively.

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 you reach a commercially sensible resolution quickly and cost-effectively without the disruption and cost of ongoing litigation. Recommended by the courts and relevant pre-action protocols.

For many businesses intellectual property represents a significant part of their value and disputes in this area can quickly become costly, time-consuming and potentially damaging to reputation. We help businesses and their legal advisors explore the issues in dispute and help facilitate commercially viable, legally binding agreements to help your business move forward in a forum that ensures trade secrets and sensitive commercial information remains confidential, without the risks associated with court proceedings.

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.

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.

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