Chris Clayton, our in-house Commercial Mediator & Solicitor Advocate, can help to resolve complex business and property disputes with insight, authority and commercial realism.
Discuss your situation with our Dispute Resolution specialists – get in touch or call 0191 5666 500 for advice with no-obligation to start a mediation.
Profile
Chris Clayton is a solicitor advocate and accredited mediator with extensive experience in commercial and property disputes. Having spent years in the thick of litigation, Chris brings the perspective of someone who has seen how conflicts evolve – and how they can be resolved more effectively through mediation.
Known for his calm authority and pragmatic approach, Chris helps parties and their advisers move beyond entrenched positions to achieve practical outcomes. He combines deep legal insight with a nuanced understanding of human behaviour, recognising that even in corporate or commercial settings, it’s often the personalities behind the dispute that determine how (and when) settlement can be reached.
Trusted by solicitors to handle sensitive, complex and high-value matters, Chris brings structure, realism and control to the mediation process.
Areas of Expertise
Chris is experienced in a wide range of commercial and property-related disputes – including:
- Commercial contract disputes
- Property, development and boundary disputes
- Adverse possession and boundary claims
- Breaches of easements and restrictive covenants
- Partnership disputes
- Shareholder and director conflicts
- Joint venture breakdowns
- Construction and building disputes
- Professional negligence claims
- Insurance coverage and indemnity disputes
- Fraud and misrepresentation claims
- Intellectual property disputes
- Defamation and reputation management issues
- Consumer rights and product liability disputes
- Agency, distribution and franchise disagreements
- Landlord and tenant issues
- Debt recovery and enforcement actions
Mediation Style
Chris’ style is facilitative but firmly grounded in commercial reality. He works closely with parties and their representatives to understand not only the legal and financial issues, but also the personal and organisational dynamics driving the conflict.
By identifying these underlying motivations and pressures, Chris helps participants see the dispute from different perspectives and move toward solutions that are both practical and durable. Drawing on his advocacy background, he tests arguments with sensitivity and clarity, helping parties balance risk, cost and principle in a constructive way.
Every mediation is conducted with discipline, discretion and a focus on preserving control for those involved.
Why Solicitors Work with Chris Clayton
- Deep understanding of litigation dynamics and settlement strategy
- Ability to uncover the human and commercial factors behind disputes
- Balanced, commercially informed approach to negotiation
- Structured yet adaptable process for complex mediations
- Clear communication before, during and after mediation
- High settlement rate across diverse and difficult cases
- Trusted for professionalism, realism and discretion
Mediation Costs
| Case Value | Session Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £50,000.00 | Up to 4 hours | £600.00 per party |
| Up to £50,000.00 | Up to 8 hours | £900.00 per party |
| £50,000.01 to £100,000.00 | Up to 4 hours | £800.00 per party |
| £50,000.01 to £100,000.00 | Up to 8 hours | £1,250.00 per party |
| £100,000.01 to £150,000.00 | Up to 8 hours | £1,500.00 per party |
| £150,000.01 to £200,000.00 | Up to 8 Hours | £1,850.00 per party |
| £200,000.00 + | To be agreed separately | 50% of the agreed price |