Quentin is a CEDR trained, and accredited, Mediator. He has
mediated around 350 disputes, across the country, with a success rate over 90%. Mediations can be arranged in Addleshaw
Goddard's state-of-the-art offices in Manchester, Leeds and London, or elsewhere.
He is a member of CEDR's teaching faculty and frequently writes,
lectures and presents on Mediation. He has made presentations at meetings with insurers, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
(APIL), Commercial Bar, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, In-House Employment Lawyers' Network, Law Society (Dublin) Association
of Local Authority Solicitors, solicitors' practices, corporate and commercial bodies, ADR Group's AGM, CEDR’s forum
and conferences.
He has mediated in a wide variety of disputes including personal
injury, commercial contracts, professional negligence, clinical negligence, partnership, defamation, sport, insurance, discrimination,
employment and property.
Specific examples include:
- Employer's liability personal injury action with a scheduled value of
£2.5 million, liability, causation and quantum in dispute
- Partnership dispute with large GP practice facing dissolution and the
sale of £500,000 property with negative equity
- Multi-million pound intellectual property dispute involving passing-off
and trademark infringement
- Wide variety of personal injury and fatal accident claims
- Clinical negligence claims eg scheduled at over £2million following brain
surgery; fatality; laser surgery; incorrect diagnoses; hospital infection
- Banking disputes (incl claim scheduled at £26m)
- Defamation arising from radio broadcast with 11 claimants
- Defamation involving libel and slander between senior professionals
- Defamation re police investigation of child abuse and media coverage
- Defamation and national newspapers
- Minority shareholders' disputes including allegations connected with offshore
companies, trusts with significant tax implications
- Sport (contracts; transfers; injuries; defamation; refereeing)
- Stress claim within the insurance industry scheduled at over £1million
- Harrassment/Discrimination/Victimisation (academic institutions,
health and local authorities)
- GP funding within a Primary Care Trust and Strategic Health Authority
- Claims against solicitors (eg commercial property transactions; business
collapses; tax issues)
- Subrogated claim brought by insurers against accountants following fraud
prosecution
- Fire insurance incl issues of cover
- Solicitors' and other partnership disputes (doctors; commercial businesses)
- Accountants' and architects' negligence claims
- Dispute over PFI contracts and building management systems
- Claims involving mineral extraction, retained rights, disputed boundaries….
- Commercial contracts including breaches or warranties; product liability
- Multiple vehicle accident on motorway including fatality
- Facilitation of consultants' dispute with NHS Trust
- Employment incl discrimination; "whistleblowing"; dismissals; stress
- 6 Claimant stress claim against a local authority
- Probate (Inheritance claims; admin of estates; prof negl)
- Construction disputes contracts; collapsed buildings; defects; insurance
aspects
- Costs claims
- Property transactions and planning issues
Some feedback includes:
"...clearly very experienced and we had full confidence in him
"
" Successfully facilitated a satisfactory settlement in a case
with a very emotional Claimant where the parties were, initially, a long way apart "
"…made several important breakthroughs; would recommend
him; very professional "
" Quentin really got the parties to open-up from entrenched
positions. He got a fair result "
"…as a result of Quentin's calm determination and refusal
to give up, terms were eventually agreed."
" Handled the case intelligently and with refreshing deftness
"
He is described as "supportive and helpful". He "created and
maintained a relaxed environment which was crucial to the success of the mediation".
One lawyer commented that "this was the first mediation for
the department and I will recommend him to clients in the future". Other lawyers were "very impressed" with Quentin and thought
he was "fantastic".
Distinctions
ADR Group Award: "Mediator of the Year
2007".
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession:
Recommended in the Chambers
Guide to the Legal Profession 2001/2 as a leader in alternative dispute resolution, he is described as winning "plaudits from
practitioners across the country" and "young, earnest and clearly one to watch".
2002/3 edition: "energetic and persuasive" with a useful ability
to "tune into what people want". Commentators say that "he thoroughly deserves the hype" and consider him a "growing player
and future star".
2003/4 edition: "a rising star" and "a hard-working mediator
able to pick up difficult issues quickly."
Ranked in the top 25, in the 2004/5 edition, " he retains a
prominent position in the market".
Ranked in the top 18 in the 2005/6 edition, "… has acquired
an excellent reputation. Clients and peers alike praise his assured touch, and his understanding of the mediation process.
His practice has experienced exponential growth over the past twelve months."
In the 2006/7 edition…"assertive" approach lends itself
well to the mediation process, according to clients, who say that he controls the process well….establishes a good rapport
with clients from the outset….involved in a number of sensitive media and defamation cases and regularly deals with
commercial disputes, reinsurance, pensions, employment and personal injury…mediates regularly and is appointed in high-profile,
multiparty mediations."
Highly recommended in the 2008 edition: "…decision in
early 2007 to mediate independently of Addleshaw Goddard while retaining a consultancy position has been well received by
a marketplace whose members anticipate great success for him. Peers are full of praise for his "charming manner" and envy
his ability to "win the trust of both sides; he can get through to people on a human level." His profile continues to grow
throughout the country..".
Legal 500:
Recommended in the 2005 edition of Legal 500: " thoughtful and
very bright ".
2006 edition: "….is a veteran of some 200 mediations and
remains prolific despite the pressures of a private litigation practice. He is popular with clients who appreciate his sense
of humour, 'assured touch', and 'no-nonsense' manner. With a success rate of over 95% and wide-ranging contacts, Smith and
his 'tough facilitator' style are fast gaining ground."
2007 edition: "…increasingly prolific….mediates
a wide range of disputes…..regarded as an ‘activist’, he pushes parties hard in mediations and an astonishing
settlement rate is testament to the success of his approach."
Ranked in the Top 30 in the 2008 edition, Quentin is described as "An instinctive
and shrewd negotiator, his friendly, easy-going style quickly builds trust and confidence. His analysis is 'spot-on' and he
identifies and tackles the issues 'head on'. His persistence in seeking the deal on occasion goes well beyond the call of
duty".
Professional Background
Graduated in B(Hons)Econ from Manchester University in 1977.
Employment in social work and then management before qualification as a Solicitor in January 1988; Articled Clerk, Solicitor
and Partner with James Chapman & Co, 1985 - 1996; Partner in Addleshaw Sons & Latham then Addleshaw Booth & Co
and then Addleshaw Goddard from 1996 until 2007 specialising in arbitration, insurance litigation, personal injury and professional
negligence. Head of Safety, Health and Environment Unit and Chair of Sports Business Group
Other Experiences / Skills
Member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Extensive experience
in arts, media and sport including sale of fine art, theatre management and music. Chair of Sale Rugby Football Club ("Sale
Sharks").
What the Press are saying . . .
These links open in separate windows.
Manchester Evening News, 22nd January 2008 - Quentin is mediator of the year
The Daily Telegraph, 5th October 2006 - The man with a settling influence
