Andrew’s mediation experience covers a wide range of topics including disputes on the following:
- Medical issues
- Mental Capacity Issues
- Commercial/agency
- Contested probate
As Chairman and current committee member of the Association of South West Mediators (ASWM), Andrew demonstrates his commitment to mediation as a valuable method of dispute resolution for the whole community.
Mediations in which Andrew has been involved include several highly emotional still birth claims and a very large 2-day Group Action in which Andrew was the lead solicitor for a group of 176 vulnerable adults who had been subject to a wide range of abuse. The mediation identified a template that allowed a structured approach to the settlement of the cases which approach was acknowledged by the court in the approval hearing as novel and one that saved considerable cost and time.
Over the last 3 years Andrew has mediated approximately 50 clinical negligence cases ranging from multi-million pound birth injury cases to modest value (but of huge importance to the claimant) fatal claims. Andrew's rate of settlement on the 3 day or within a few weeks of the mediation runs in excess of 80%.
Andrew maintains good working relations with local NHS Trusts and panel NHSLA firms reflecting an ability to work constructively with other parties in disputes. AJH represents a local Community NHS Trust in Inquests which provides the opportunity to work with clinical staff which otherwise would not exist in a claimant dominated clinical negligence practice.
Andrew has regularly given training both within his firm and outside on mediation through his position with Trust Mediation and ASWM. Excellent oral and written communication skills are part of his package used to help resolve disputes.
When not mediating, Andrew has been advising over a number of years in a wide range of clinical negligence actions, with complex and high value birth injury claims comprising the majority of Andrew's caseload over recent years. In addition Andrew has acted as lead solicitor in two very large and high profile Group Actions (Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust and Winterbourne View).
