Member Article

Middlesbrough law startup hopes to plug region's specialist mediation gap

Entrepreneurial North East solicitor Samantha Lowe has launched Concentus Mediation, a new legal business specialising in commercial mediation.

Taking up space in Acklam Hall, Middlesbrough, Samantha believes her expertise and flexible business model will assist clients to ‘save time, money and heartache’ when it comes to mediation and conflict resolution.

Samantha’s approach will allow her to work for several law firms at any one time on a fee-share basis. This, she believes, will add great value to the region as a whole, especially with dedicated North East mediation specialists being few and far between.

She explained: “Specialist commercial mediators in the region are lacking - specialist, dynamic, female, commercial mediators even more so.

“As a litigator I have a steely edge but as a person I have a great ability to empathise and listen, I’m patient and I know when it’s right to push on for an outcome and when it’s best to give both parties time to get a breath of fresh air and clear their heads. Something that is necessary in disputes, especially those involving inheritance and high-flying emotions.”

Samantha, who previously worked for Ward Hadaway for nine years after graduating with First Class Honours from Northumbria University, says the business’ core expertise will be based in commercial litigation, contested trusts and estates.

She continued: “Clients are becoming more savvy when it comes to what they want from lawyers and how they want their lawyers to work for them and more importantly how they want to pay them.

“As a consultant I can offer flexible arrangements that best suit them from monthly retainers, to paying varied hourly rates and fixed fees and due to technology I can offer my services nationally and internationally, my most recent client lives and works in South Africa and Vietnam.

“As a litigator I have a steely edge but as a person I have a great ability to empathise and listen, I’m patient and I know when it’s right to push on for an outcome and when it’s best to give both parties time to get a breath of fresh air and clear their heads. Something that is necessary in disputes, especially those involving inheritance and high-flying emotions.”

Samantha, 33, who lives with her husband and daughter in Yarm, added: “Mediation is a massive cost saving exercise both financially and emotionally.

“I want to focus on something not readily available in the region. I am keen to emphasise that people don’t have to instruct mediators from London or Leeds for this expert service -the talent is here in the region.”