Teresa Blades

Teresa is interested in mediating disputes in the following areas:

• Civil
• Commercial
• Contract
• Negligence
• Nuisance
• Property
• Trusts
• Landlord and Tenant
• Housing
• Boundary and neighbour disputes
• Fraud
• Contested wills trust and inheritance dispute
• Employment and Workplace disputes
• Defamation
• Building/Construction
• Charities/Community Groups

Teresa mediates gently with empathy and kindness. She is capable of managing legally complex proceedings and can be authoritative when needed.

As a result of her wealth of litigation experience, she is able to communicate sensitively and effectively in an emotionally charged environment. She has a huge depth of experience dealing with people from widely different backgrounds, and is patient, intuitive and emotionally intelligent and able to respond to parties' priorities. Teresa's relaxed style will put parties at ease enabling her to identify the wider interests and key concerns, leading to the establishment of common ground.

Teresa's ability to listen means that she is able to understand the issues and emotions people in conflict have. She is warm, open, friendly, calm, non-judgemental and approachable, allowing people to relax and feel comfortable. Her perceptive nature means that she is able to build rapport. Teresa is forward-looking, adaptable, flexible, relaxed and approachable but not afraid to ask difficult questions.

Teresa believes, as an excellent listener, that intuitively asking the right question may lead towards a solution. She is fascinated by people and relationships, and her comprehensive people skills enable parties to feel empowered. She is able to apply her skills communicating sensitively and effectively to facilitate positive and creative resolution of conflict for people.

Teresa has practiced as a criminal defence solicitor for 30 years, specialising in protest and civil liberties. She was formerly a Director of a leading civil liberties firm of solicitors.

Teresa is able to communicate with people from all backgrounds. She decided to utilise her communication skills for the positive resolution of conflict, and qualified as a Civil and Commercial and Workplace and Employment Mediator in 2024. She also sits as Chair on the Valuation Tribunal for England.