Local man, Steve O'Gorman, originally trained as a lawyer before embarking on a career in industry and management.

The 66-year-old has a wealth of legal knowledge coupled with years of experience in industry and the corporate world and now he's using this extensive knowledge to help others.

Steve has set up a business called 'Fast Resolve Mediation' - designed to resolve legal disputes cheaply and quickly, working on civil, commercial and employment disputes.

And he's also interested in taking on cases with a sporting theme. Steve was a member of the GB Judo team and currently coaches locally alongside doing other charitable work.

Steve O'Gorman, has set up a mediation service to settle civil, commercial and employment disputes. (Photo: Fast Resolve Mediation)

"I know what it must be like to receive a letter saying you have to attend court and not knowing which way to turn," he said.

"Mediation is a simple and effective way to resolve a dispute using a trained and certified professional and has a success rate of over 85 per cent."

Steve has a clutch of successful cases under his belt which he has won and is eager to spread the word and help others resolve a situation without big legal bills.

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He said: "The Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) estimates that 93 per cent of commercial mediation cases are resolved on the day or shortly after.

"Mediation allows you to put disputes behind you, resolve them quickly, often on the day with no further legal costs or personal disruption."

One recent case involved a dispute between two co-directors of a manufacturing company over a dispute about £100,000.

"One director was looking at a legal bill of £50,000 to resolve it. I got them to 'sit around the table' on-line and look at ways of resolving their issues. It was about taking the emotion out of the situation and achieving a resolution."

Another case involved discrimination at work which Steve was able to achieve a resolution before reaching the tribunal stage.

Steve aims to resolve disputes before they reach court. (Photo: Nub Nes)

"The issue revolved around an employee of an organisation where she was the butt of schoolyard type bullying and a management style which was a little autocratic," said Steve.

"The employee felt she was being ridiculed and although this had been reported to HR nothing had been done. She wasn't necessarily after money - she just wanted an apology and for the policy to change.

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"Through the work of Fast Resolve Mediation we achieved a written apology from the commercial director and the company changed their policy. She was moved to another office and continued working for the company."

Steve has 30 years relevant experience and his mediation style is described as "considered, calm and experience based. As he says: "There's always an answer - you just have to find it".

Fast Resolve Mediation is a member of the Society of Mediators and offers a FREE consultation. For details, email him at [email protected].

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