CONSTRUCTION + ENGINEERING MEDIATION
Specialist mediation for construction, engineering and property-related disputes
I help people and businesses resolve complex construction and property-related disputes in a commercially grounded way, so they can move forward with greater certainty.Construction + Engineering Mediation is my specialist mediation practice, informed by more than 25 years' experience of construction, property-related and commercial dispute work.Direct enquiries are welcome and provisional dates can be discussed. Any appointment will be subject to conflicts, suitability, availability, agreed written terms and confirmation that mediation-specific professional indemnity insurance is in force.
SPECIALIST MEDIATION
A mediator who understands the terrain
Construction, engineering and property-related disputes involve more than legal positions. They can turn on programmes, payment mechanisms, technical evidence, project records, cash flow, insurance, continuing relationships and the commercial cost of carrying on.Sector familiarity means less time needs to be spent translating the dispute and more time can be spent identifying what matters, testing assumptions and exploring terms that the parties can actually use.
DISPUTES
Construction, engineering and property-related disputes
Mediation may be suitable before proceedings begin, while an adjudication, arbitration or court case is under way, or after the parties have reached a procedural or commercial impasse.
Construction and engineering
Payment, valuation and final-account disputes
Variations and change
Delay, disruption, extensions of time and loss and expense
Defects, workmanship and technical performance
Professional appointments, design responsibility and professional negligence
Contract interpretation, termination and repudiation
Disputes already referred to adjudication, arbitration or litigation
PROPERTY-RELATED DISPUTES
Development and refurbishment disputes
Commercial property issues connected with projects or works
Access, easements, rights of way and restrictive covenants
Boundaries, neighbouring land and interference with property rights
Other property-related disputes in which legal, technical and commercial issues overlap
If the dispute does not fit neatly within these examples, a brief exploratory enquiry is welcome.
STEVEN BATE
Experience in the disputes. Clarity about the mediator's role.
I began my legal career in 1997 and have specialised in construction, property-related and commercial disputes for more than 25 years. I was admitted as a solicitor in 2000 and held a practising certificate until October 2024. I held senior roles, including partnerships at national and international law firms, before establishing Bee Consulted, and remain on the Roll of Solicitors as a non-practising solicitor.
I have acted in hundreds of construction adjudications - more than I can now remember - and taken cases to the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords, before its judicial functions were transferred to the Supreme Court.My wider disputes experience includes adjudication, arbitration, litigation, negotiation, settlement work and representing parties in mediation. It has given me a practical understanding of how legal analysis, technical evidence, cost, risk, pressure and human judgment affect decisions.I completed CEDR Mediator Skills Training and was awarded CEDR Accredited Mediator status on 11 June 2013.My career after accreditation remained principally focused on construction, property-related and commercial dispute work and party representation. I am now deliberately re-establishing my mediator practice alongside that established disputes experience.My record of appointments as mediator is developing. I state that openly. What I bring to the role is extensive experience of the disputes themselves, the pressures surrounding them and the decisions parties and advisers have to make.
APPROACH
Calm authority. Commercial realism. Room to decide.
My approach is structured, calm, pragmatic and even-handed. I listen carefully, get to grips with the material and ask direct questions where that will help.I am alert both to the merits of the dispute and to the commercial, practical and personal considerations that may be driving it.As mediator, I do not decide the case, give either party legal advice or force a settlement. My role is to help the parties examine their positions and alternatives, communicate effectively and decide whether they can reach terms they prefer to the cost, delay and uncertainty of continuing the dispute.Construction + Engineering Mediation is a solo specialist practice. Every enquiry, conflict check, preparation step and mediation is handled personally by me. There is no panel, allocation process or hand-off to another mediator.
STANDARDS
Independent. Impartial. Confidential.
I have chosen to commit to the European Code of Conduct for Mediators and will conduct mediations in accordance with it, subject to applicable law and the written mediation agreement.That commitment includes independence and impartiality, disclosure of circumstances that may affect or appear to affect my independence, transparency about fees and process, fair opportunity for each party to participate and appropriate confidentiality.Before any mediation appointment is confirmed, professional indemnity insurance specifically covering the mediation work will be in force with a limit of indemnity of at least £1 million.Each mediation will proceed under written terms agreed with the participating parties. My Standard Terms of Appointment and a Specimen Mediation Agreement are available below.
PROCESS
From enquiry to mediation
1. Initial enquiry
Send me a short, non-confidential outline of the dispute, its approximate value, any current proceedings or important deadline and the likely timing.A provisional date can be discussed at this stage.Please do not send a full bundle or substantive sensitive material with the initial enquiry.
2. Conflict check and suitability
I will request the limited information needed to carry out an appropriate conflict check and consider whether I have the background and competence to mediate the dispute.
3. Scope and appointment
If the matter appears suitable and there is no conflict preventing me from acting, the proposed format, date, fee, preparation requirements and written terms will be agreed with all participating parties.The parties can appoint me directly. A nominating body is not required where all participating parties agree the appointment.No appointment will be finally confirmed unless mediation-specific professional indemnity insurance is in force.
4. Preparation and mediation
The parties will provide proportionate position material and key documents.The mediation may use joint and private meetings and may take place online, in person or through an agreed hybrid arrangement.
5. Outcome
Any settlement is for the parties to decide.I may assist in clarifying terms under discussion, but settlement terms remain for the parties and their advisers to formulate and approve.No settlement is binding merely because agreement has been expressed orally or in principle. Any binding settlement must be recorded in an appropriate form intended by the parties to be legally binding.
AVAILABILITY
Direct enquiries are welcome
Direct enquiries are welcome and provisional mediation dates can be discussed.I will confirm an appointment once conflicts and suitability have been checked, the parties have agreed the appointment and written terms, and mediation-specific professional indemnity insurance is in force.Mediations may take place online, in person or through an agreed hybrid arrangement, principally for parties in England and Wales.
FEES
Planned fixed fees, including VAT
The following is my planned launch fee structure for two-party disputes.The amount in dispute is a guide rather than an automatic surcharge. Complexity, preparation, number of issues or parties and the time required may make a different format more appropriate.The appropriate fee and scope will be confirmed before an appointment is accepted.
FOCUSED MEDIATION
Typically suitable for a dispute up to £50,000 or a tightly defined issue.Up to 2 hours' mediator preparation
Up to 4 mediation hours
Standard fee: £1,080 total / £540 per party
Introductory relaunch fee: £900 total / £450 per party
STANDARD FULL DAY
Typically suitable for a dispute of £50,001-£500,000 or one of moderate complexity.Up to 4 hours' mediator preparation
Up to 8 mediation hours
Standard fee: £1,800 total / £900 per party
Introductory relaunch fee: £1,500 total / £750 per party
COMPLEX FULL DAY
Often suitable for a dispute over £500,000 or one requiring materially greater technical, documentary or procedural preparation.Up to 6 hours' mediator preparation
Up to 8 mediation hours
Standard fee: £2,400 total / £1,200 per party
Introductory relaunch fee: £2,000 total / £1,000 per party
INTRODUCTORY RELAUNCH FEES
I intend to offer the introductory fees above for the first five suitable mediation appointments I accept as the practice is re-established.They recognise that I am re-establishing my mediator practice after a career principally focused on advising and representing parties in construction and property-related disputes.An enquiry or provisional date does not reserve entitlement to an introductory fee. The final fee and terms will be agreed before the appointment is confirmed.
ADDITIONAL TIME AND EXPENSES
All figures include VAT and assume two parties sharing the mediator's fee equally. A different allocation may be agreed.Additional preparation or mediation time is planned at £180 including VAT per mediator hour in total, normally £90 per party in a two-party matter, and will be incurred only by agreement.Remote and in-person mediations use the same base fee.Ordinary travel within the M62 corridor is included.For in-person mediations outside the M62 corridor, reasonable travel and accommodation will be charged at cost, agreed in advance.Venue hire, external provider charges and each party's own legal, expert or other professional costs are excluded.Multi-party, multi-day, urgent or unusually document-heavy matters will be quoted individually.Cancellation and postponement arrangements are set out in the Standard Terms of Appointment.
DOCUMENTS
The framework for an appointment
I prefer the terms governing a mediation to be clear before an appointment is made.The following standard documents are available to review in advance.
STANDARD TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
The standard terms governing the mediator's appointment and the conduct of the mediation, including independence, confidentiality, preparation, fees, cancellation, settlement and other procedural arrangements.
SPECIMEN MEDIATION AGREEMENT
The case-specific agreement completed for each mediation, recording the parties, dispute, participants, date, format, fee and any relevant disclosures.
EUROPEAN CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEDIATORS
The European Code of Conduct sets out principles relating to competence, appointment and fees, independence, impartiality, fairness of process and confidentiality.I have chosen to commit to the Code.
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
DO WE NEED A NOMINATING BODY?
No. The parties can agree my appointment directly, subject to conflicts, suitability, availability, agreed fee and written terms.
CAN WE SPEAK BEFORE DECIDING?
Yes. A brief exploratory conversation can address the proposed process, likely format, timing and fee.It is not legal advice and does not of itself create an appointment.
CAN WE HOLD A PROVISIONAL DATE?
Yes. A suitable date can be discussed provisionally while the parties consider the appointment and the necessary checks and terms are completed.
IS MEDIATION ONLY FOR BUSINESSES?
No. Construction, engineering and property-related disputes can involve companies, partnerships, public bodies, professionals, contractors, developers, employers and private individuals.
CAN THE MEDIATION BE ONLINE?
Yes. Mediations may take place online, in person or, where useful, through a hybrid arrangement agreed with the parties.
WILL YOU DECIDE WHO IS RIGHT?
No. I do not impose a decision. The parties retain control over whether they settle and on what terms.
IS THE MEDIATION CONFIDENTIAL?
Each mediation will be conducted on the confidential and without-prejudice basis set out in the Mediation Agreement and Standard Terms of Appointment, subject to those terms and applicable law.Information given to me privately by one party will not be disclosed to another without permission except where disclosure is required or permitted under the agreed terms or applicable law.
WHAT PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS APPLY?
I have chosen to commit to the European Code of Conduct for Mediators.The Code addresses competence, independence, impartiality, fees, fairness of process and confidentiality.My Standard Terms of Appointment and Specimen Mediation Agreement are also available on this website.
ENQUIRE
Start with a short outline
For an initial enquiry, please send:a short description of the dispute and its approximate value;
details of any proceedings, adjudication, arbitration or important deadline;
the likely timing;
whether you envisage an online or in-person mediation; and
the best person to contact.At first contact, a short non-confidential outline is enough.Please do not send a full bundle or substantive sensitive documents. I will ask separately for the limited information needed for conflict and suitability checks.
EMAIL STEVEN
PRIVACY
Privacy
Bee Consulted Limited is responsible for personal information used in connection with Construction + Engineering Mediation.Information may include names and contact details, organisations and professional roles, information required for conflict and suitability checks, correspondence, billing and appointment information and information relating to a dispute or mediation.Dispute material may include sensitive personal information or information relating to legal claims. Please provide only what is reasonably necessary and do not send substantive or sensitive material until appropriate arrangements have been agreed.Information is used to:respond to enquiries;
undertake conflict and suitability checks;
take steps towards and administer appointments;
prepare for and conduct mediations;
maintain appropriate business, tax, accounting, insurance and legal records; and
protect legitimate business and legal interests.Information may be shared where reasonably necessary with participating parties and their authorised advisers, professional insurers and advisers, relevant technology or service providers, and courts, regulators or public authorities where disclosure is required or lawfully necessary.Some technology providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, appropriate arrangements will be used where required by data-protection law.Information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary having regard to the enquiry or mediation and legitimate legal, insurance, tax, accounting, conflict-checking and record-keeping requirements.Depending on the circumstances, individuals may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection or transfer of their personal information.Privacy enquiries may be sent to [email protected].You may also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.The launch website does not intentionally use advertising cookies or analytics. Links to external websites and documents are subject to the arrangements applicable to those services.Effective: 18 August 2026