Phil Hesketh
Specialist Mediator
I help people resolve difficult disputes without the costs, delay, stress and uncertainty of going to court. I work with parties as a trusted independent neutral to help them find their own agreed solutions.
I have been mediating disputes since 2006. I am a non-practising solicitor after becoming a full time Mediator in 2008. I am a Fellow of the Civil Mediation Council. I was awarded Mediation Achiever of the Year 2021.
I mediate all kinds of disputes but specialise in:
- inheritance disputes
- contentious wills, trusts and probate
- personal injury
- clinical negligence
I live on the Fylde Coast in the north west of England but mediate across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands.
My mediation experience
Here are just a few examples of the hundreds of cases I have helped people resolve.
Inheritance Act claim
Claim brought by spouse of deceased who was left out of a will and contested by surviving adult children.
TOLATA claim
Dispute between a separating unmarried couple involving multiple properties and other financial interests.
Will Dispute - Forged Will
Inheritance dispute involving allegations that a will made overseas was a forgery and did not revoke the current UK will.
Equitable Estoppel
Claim against the distribution of a will on an intestacy basis following allegations of equitable estoppel on the grounds of promises allegedley made to one surviving child that the parental home would be left to them in return for their care.
Will Dispute - Undue Influence
Claim brought alleging a parent's will was made under the undue influence of a sibling.
Catastrophic Injury Claim
A cyclist suffered life changing injuries. Claim against three different defendants involved in negligent highway maintenance works.
Missed cancer diagnosis
Clinical negligence laim against a hospital trust for missing a cancer diagnosis brought by the terminally ill patient and her family.
Birth Injury Claim
Multi million pound quantum only claim for a child left with catastrophic brain injuries due to negligent obstetric care.
Suicide
Claim against a Mental Health Trust brought by surviving spouse of a patient whose death by suicide could have been prevented but for the admitted negligent care.
Testimonials
“Phil was brilliant with the Claimant, a litigant in person with Autism. I feared communication would be a barrier to resolution but with Phil's assistance, the parties were able to come together to reach a resolution that I am certain would not have been reached without him.”
Bryony Steele
Associate Solicitor - DAC Beachcroft LLP
“Professional, down to earth, friendly, flexible, client focussed, practical, “reads the room well”, excellent grasp of the issues. I have instructed Phil several times before and have found him to be an excellent mediator for all of the reasons described above. Would always want him as first choice going forward.”
Shantala Carr
Partner - Girlings Solicitors
“The mediator was professional, friendly and approachable which made our client at ease. He took on board our position and considered the best approach to achieve the desired result when the parties were some way apart and not achieving a great deal of progress.”
Liz Hickman
Legal Director - Higgs LLP
£100+ million
Dispute settlement values
100+
Instructing Solicitors Firms
80%
Average Settlement Rate
35+
Years Dispute Resolution Experience