Paul Kirtley from Exchange Chambers in Leeds has secured the successful resolution of a high-value maritime personal injury claim, while Ashley Serr has added to his list of judicial appointments.
The claimant at the centre of the mediation, an EU national, was a marine engineer who suffered life-changing injuries on board a yacht sailing under a Guernsey flag, with a UK master.
The mediation involved complex evidence and negotiations with a range of maritime experts and lawyers before settlement was reached.
Due to the multi-jurisdictional nature of the case, as well as current Covid-19 restrictions, the mediation was conducted remotely.
The multi-jurisdictional aspect of Kirtley’s mediation practice, in which he specialises in helping the parties reach a solution in cases involving intractable issues, has resulted in a number of instructions in recent months.
Earlier this year, the accredited civil and commercial and workplace mediator successfully mediated a high-value professional negligence case with parties from Austria, Switzerland, the UK and the Isle of Man taking part remotely.
Kirtley also successfully mediated a high value personal injury claim with eight parties from around the UK and the Isle of Man participating remotely.
All mediations were facilitated by Exchange Chambers’s in-house IT department, which is well-versed in delivering remote hearings across all technology platforms.
Ashley Serr of Exchange Chambers becomes a recorder
Meanwhile, Serr from Exchange Chambers in Leeds has been appointed as a recorder by the Queen.
Recorders are barristers appointed to sit as part-time judges.
Earlier this year, Serr was also appointed as a deputy district judge (North Eastern Circuit), a fee-paid part-time judge of the First Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) and a fee-paid part-time judge of the Employment Tribunal (North West region).
Serr continues to practise as a barrister at Exchange Chambers alongside his judicial appointments.
Called to the bar in 1996, Serr provides expert legal advice to businesses of all sizes, government departments and individuals.
While originally known as a leading employment junior, Serr’s practice has grown in recent years and now also encompasses contract disputes, restrictive covenant cases, director disqualification, insolvency and judicial review.
Exchange Chambers is continuing to expand in Leeds, after signing a new 10-year lease at Oxford House on Oxford Row in the Civic Quarter of Leeds City Centre, close to the courts.
Pictured: Paul Kirtley and Ashley Serr of Exchange Chambers
