Phil Sheat Mediator

In an increasingly litigious world, lawyer Phil Sheat says mediation provides an alternative to expensive and protracted court processes.

“Mediation is less formal and encourages people in dispute to take control of the proceedings,” he says. “And, unlike court, it is totally confidential.

“The costs are fixed and people can represent themselves or have the guidance of a lawyer. There are no set procedural rules.”

Phil has been a general practice lawyer since 1981, working in Wellington, Whangarei, Adelaide and, for the past 29 years, in Auckland. He recently moved north to spend more time with his partner, Suzanne Donovan, who is deputy principal at Warkworth Primary School. He hopes to use his considerable legal experience to assist local people resolve their differences in a less adversarial way. … read more