Early resolution, avoiding stress, time and expense!!

Every business owner knows that disputes drain time, energy, and money. In this essential episode, David Goldberg, accredited Mediator and I tackle the core question:

How can you resolve conflicts early, efficiently, and with minimal stress?

David shares strategies for getting to a settlement before you're deep into litigation, discussing how pre-issue mediation can save massive costs and hassle.

We also explore the role of the impartial mediator in cutting through the noise and focusing on the core issues. Learn how to be serious and fully engaged in the resolution process to avoid the expense and stress of a full court battle.

Key areas we cover:

The critical benefits of resolving disputes pre-issue (before legal proceedings start).

How early mediation helps businesses avoid the high cost and stress of full litigation.

The mediator's role as a neutral "cog" in narrowing issues and driving settlement.

When and how a party can approach a mediator directly.

Hosts:

Zakia Khalid - https://www.zakiakhalidlaw.co.uk/

Zakia is a Debt Recovery Solicitor and Trainer to business finance and credit control teams, helping them understand and navigate the legal process of recovering unpaid invoices/debts to ensure cashflow is protected and bad debts are collected.

David Goldberg - https://www.emwlaw.com/

David is a solicitor-mediator accredited by CEDR and recognised in the legal 500 for the last three years. He can mediate a whole array of matters face to face or over Zoom. Please contact David direct by email (david.goldberg@emwlaw.com) or via LinkedIn for more details, a CV or with any questions.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Right Here Creative - https://www.rightherecreative.co.uk/

GD Associates - https://www.gdassociates.net/

In this episode, David Goldberg and I explore the evolution of mediation from a voluntary alternative to a key and compulsory component of the legal system.

We discuss the recent court rules that give judges the power to compel parties to mediate, the crucial role of an impartial third party, and the financial risks of refusing to mediate. Tune in to understand why the tide is turning and how this changing landscape impacts your path to resolution.

Key topics we cover:

• How courts are now compelling parties to mediate.
• The benefits of using an independent, impartial third-party mediator.
• The risks and cost implications of refusing to engage in mediation.
• Why mediation statistics show a high success rate

Whether you’re a solicitor advising clients, a business facing disputes, or just curious about the world of mediation, this episode offers practical insights and and an understanding on the changing landscape of mediation and how it's shaping the future of conflict resolution.

Hosts:

Zakia Khalid - https://www.zakiakhalidlaw.co.uk/

Zakia is a Debt Recovery Solicitor and Trainer to business finance and credit control teams, helping them understand and navigate the legal process of recovering unpaid invoices/debts to ensure cashflow is protected and bad debts are collected.

David Goldberg - https://www.emwlaw.com/

David is a solicitor-mediator accredited by CEDR and recognised in the legal 500 for the last three years. He can mediate a whole array of matters face to face or over Zoom. Please contact David direct by email (david.goldberg@emwlaw.com) or via LinkedIn for more details, a CV or with any questions.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Right Here Creative - https://www.rightherecreative.co.uk/

GD Associates - https://www.gdassociates.net/

When it comes to mediation, not all mediators are created equal. In this episode of Calm the Conflict – The Art of Resolution, David Goldberg (Legal 500, Cedr Accredited Mediator) and I, (Commercial Litigation Solicitor & Debt Recovery Trainer) unpack the big question: how do you choose the right mediator for your dispute?

From personality fit and professional background to fees, style, and client compatibility, they explore:

• The difference between bluntness and aggression in mediation
• Why mediator personality can make or break the process
• How to weigh cost, experience, and qualifications
• Whether niche expertise really matters—or if a broad perspective is better

David also opens up about his own direct, no-nonsense approach—why bluntness can be effective without being aggressive, and how the mediator’s job is to keep the process focused, efficient, and impartial.

Whether you’re a solicitor advising clients, a business facing disputes, or just curious about how mediators are picked, this episode offers practical insights and candid stories that show what really matters when choosing the person to guide your conflict toward resolution.

Hosts:

Zakia Khalid - https://www.zakiakhalidlaw.co.uk/

Zakia is a Debt Recovery Solicitor and Trainer to business finance and credit control teams, helping them understand and navigate the legal process of recovering unpaid invoices/debts to ensure cashflow is protected and bad debts are collected.

David Goldberg - https://www.emwlaw.com/

David is a solicitor-mediator accredited by CEDR and recognised in the legal 500 for the last three years. He can mediate a whole array of matters face to face or over Zoom. Please contact David direct by email (david.goldberg@emwlaw.com) or via LinkedIn for more details, a CV or with any questions.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Right Here Creative - https://www.rightherecreative.co.uk/

GD Associates - https://www.gdassociates.net/

Does mediation really deliver or is it just an extra expense before heading to court?

In this episode, my co-host, the brilliant accredited mediator David Goldberg, and I draw on our combined legal and mediation experience and tackle the big question head-on to o reveal when the process pays off… and when it might not.

From eye-opening success rates to the surprising challenges of settling small-value disputes, we unpack the real costs, common myths, and the mindset parties need to make mediation work. You’ll also hear why “sharing the pain” can be the key to closing a deal, and how mediation can save months, even years, compared to waiting for a trial.

According to the CEDR Mediation Audit 2025, the total market size for civil mediation grew to 21,000 cases in 2024, a 24% increase from 2022. Even more compelling, the audit found that 70% of cases settled on the day, with another 17% settling shortly after. That's a staggering 87% cumulative success rate! So clearly “it’s worth it”.

The primary focus of the survey was to assess how the market and mediation attitudes have changed over mediations falling under the auspices of the Civil Mediation Council.

Link to the CEDR Mediation Audit 2025 Survey - https://learn.cedr.com/the-eleventh-cedr-mediation-audit

Whether you’re a lawyer, business owner, or simply weighing your dispute resolution options, this episode gives you the facts, figures, and insights you need to decide if mediation is worth your time and money.

Hosts:

Zakia Khalid - https://www.zakiakhalidlaw.co.uk/

Zakia is a Debt Recovery Solicitor and Trainer to business finance and credit control teams, helping them understand and navigate the legal process of recovering unpaid invoices/debts to ensure cashflow is protected and bad debts are collected.

David Goldberg - https://www.emwlaw.com/

David is a solicitor-mediator accredited by CEDR and recognised in the legal 500 for the last three years. He can mediate a whole array of matters face to face or over Zoom. Please contact David direct by email (david.goldberg@emwlaw.com) or via LinkedIn for more details, a CV or with any questions.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Right Here Creative - https://www.rightherecreative.co.uk/

GD Associates - https://www.gdassociates.net/

What actually happens on the day of mediation? In this episode, Zakia is joined once again by co-host and seasoned mediator David Goldberg, who takes us behind the scenes to reveal how mediators keep things calm, even when clients can’t stand the sight of each other. From the first meeting to the final deal, they explore the art of managing egos, closing wide offer gaps, and keeping the conversation moving – even when tensions run high.

Whether you’re new to mediation or a seasoned litigator, this episode offers practical insights, psychological tactics, and proven tips that can turn a chaotic dispute into a done deal – without a courtroom in sight.

Hosts:

Zakia Khalid - https://www.zakiakhalidlaw.co.uk/

Zakia is a Debt Recovery Solicitor and Trainer to business finance and credit control teams, helping them understand and navigate the legal process of recovering unpaid invoices/debts to ensure cashflow is protected and bad debts are collected.

David Goldberg - https://www.emwlaw.com/

David is a solicitor-mediator accredited by CEDR and recognised in the legal 500 for the last three years. He can mediate a whole array of matters face to face or over Zoom. Please contact David direct by email (david.goldberg@emwlaw.com) or via LinkedIn for more details, a CV or with any questions.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Right Here Creative - https://www.rightherecreative.co.uk/

GD Associates - https://www.gdassociates.net/

What really goes on behind the scenes before a mediation? In this episode, Zakia is joined by accredited mediator David Goldberg to unpack the practical steps lawyers should take to set up a successful mediation. From pre-legal claims to full-blown litigation, they explore what paperwork truly matters, how mediators cut through mountains of emails and invoices, and why it’s not about creating a mini-trial—but finding space for compromise.

Whether you’re a lawyer, mediator, or simply curious about the art of conflict resolution, this episode offers insider tips that can save time, reduce stress, and make your next mediation more effective.

Hosts:

Zakia Khalid - https://www.zakiakhalidlaw.co.uk/

Zakia is a Debt Recovery Solicitor and Trainer to business finance and credit control teams, helping them understand and navigate the legal process of recovering unpaid invoices/debts to ensure cashflow is protected and bad debts are collected.

David Goldberg - https://www.emwlaw.com/

David is a solicitor-mediator accredited by CEDR and recognised in the legal 500 for the last three years. He can mediate a whole array of matters face to face or over Zoom. Please contact David direct by email (david.goldberg@emwlaw.com) or via LinkedIn for more details, a CV or with any questions.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Right Here Creative - https://www.rightherecreative.co.uk/

GD Associates - https://www.gdassociates.net/