Belfast firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has been thanked by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) for hosting a recent construction mediation masterclass for CIArb members.

Leading barrister Andrew Singer BL mediated the mock dispute between a main contractor and sub-contractor. Pat O’Hagan and Jarlath Kearney from CIArb participated as the aggrieved parties.

The masterclass was opened by CFR’s associate solicitor Julie-Ann McCaffrey and director Aaron Moore, who discussed their experiences of representing parties in the mediation process.

Ms McCaffrey said: “We were delighted to host this event for CIArb NI. The aim of the event was to raise awareness of the mediation process and allow construction professionals to watch the process in practice. Cleaver Fulton Rankin has long advocated mediation to our clients and is continuing to actively promote the benefits of the process.”

Mr Moore said he hoped attendees would remember “the potential cost savings, flexibility and confidentiality that the process offers”.

The event was also attended by CIArb’s deputy president James Bridgeman and CIArb NI’s chair Jarlath Kearney.

Mr Kearney said: “The CIArb in NI promote and educate its member base on all forms of dispute resolution.

“We are very grateful to progressive legal firms such as Cleaver Fulton Rankin that recognise the need for cost-effective and speedy resolution. This event on the workings of mediation was a great success thanks to all the team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin, particularly Julie-Ann McCaffrey and Aaron Moore.”