# Laurence Gray Mediation > Laurence Gray is a CMC-Registered civil and commercial mediator based in Cornwall, England. He mediates property and commercial disputes in person across Devon and Cornwall, and remotely by Zoom throughout the United Kingdom. He brings over 25 years of experience litigating property and commercial disputes to the mediation room. ## Key facts - Name: Laurence Gray - Role: Civil and commercial mediator - Accreditation: CMC Registered Mediator; accredited by the London School of Mediation - Panels: The Barrister Group; Association of South West Mediators - Also: Partner at Keystone Law (joined December 2013); previously a property litigation solicitor at Eversheds (London) and Clarke Willmott (Bristol) - Experience: 25+ years litigating property and commercial disputes - Based: Cornwall, England - Coverage: In person across Devon and Cornwall; anywhere in the UK by arrangement; remote mediation by Zoom nationwide - Fees: Full day £1,250 + VAT per party; half day £750 + VAT per party (preparation included, normally shared equally between the parties) - Typical duration: One day, 10am to 5pm - Email: mediation@laurencegray.com - Telephone: 07757 216 786 - Website: https://www.laurencegray.com ## About - [About Laurence Gray](https://www.laurencegray.com/about/): Full biography, credentials and background. CMC Registered Mediator, accredited by the London School of Mediation. Partner at Keystone Law since December 2013. Previously a property litigation solicitor at Eversheds (London) and Clarke Willmott (Bristol). Over 25 years of civil litigation experience. ## What mediation is - [What is Mediation?](https://www.laurencegray.com/what-is-mediation/): Mediation is a confidential, without prejudice process in which an independent neutral third party helps the parties to a dispute negotiate their own settlement. The mediator does not decide the case or impose an outcome. Anything said during a mediation is privileged and cannot be referred to in court. A settlement becomes binding once it is written up and signed. - [Why Mediate?](https://www.laurencegray.com/why-mediate/): Comparison of mediation with litigation. Most mediations settle. Disputes resolve in a day rather than months or years, at a fraction of the cost, in private, and on terms the parties choose rather than terms a judge imposes. ## Areas of expertise Laurence mediates civil and commercial disputes, with particular experience in property: - [Boundary & Trespass Disputes](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/boundary-disputes/): Neighbour disputes, title boundary disagreements, encroachments, trespass to land and party wall matters across Devon and Cornwall. - [Landlord & Tenant](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/landlord-and-tenant/): Commercial and residential lease disputes, rent arrears, possession, service charges, lease renewals and forfeiture. - [Dilapidations](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/dilapidations/): Terminal and interim dilapidations claims, schedules of condition, and disputes between landlords and tenants at lease end. - [Rights of Way & Easements](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/rights-of-way/): Access rights, footpath disputes, easement claims, restrictive covenants and right to light. - [Contract & Building Disputes](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/contract-disputes/): Construction contracts, building defects, contractor disputes and other commercial contract disagreements. - [Professional Negligence](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/professional-negligence/): Claims against solicitors, architects, surveyors and other professionals. - [Probate & Trust Disputes](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/trust-disputes/): Contested probate claims, TOLATA claims, beneficial interest disputes, co-ownership disagreements and adverse possession. - [Nuisance](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/nuisance/): Private nuisance claims including noise, smells, Japanese knotweed and the encroachment of roots and branches. - [All areas of expertise](https://www.laurencegray.com/expertise/): Index of the areas in which Laurence accepts instructions. ## The mediation process - [The Process](https://www.laurencegray.com/the-process/): Step-by-step guide from first enquiry to signed settlement. 1. Initial enquiry — Either party or their solicitor contacts Laurence. He checks for conflicts, confirms availability and handles the practical arrangements, including the mediation agreement. 2. Preparation — Each party submits a short position statement and the key documents. Laurence reads everything in advance; preparation is included in the fee. 3. The opening joint session — The day can begin with both parties in the same room. Parties may elect not to have an opening joint session if they prefer. 4. Private sessions — Laurence moves between the parties in confidential private sessions (caucuses), testing positions and exploring options. Nothing is passed between rooms without permission. 5. Moving towards settlement — Offers are exchanged and narrowed. Most disputes settle late in the day, once both sides have tested their case. 6. Settlement — If agreement is reached, the terms are written up and signed on the day, creating a binding contract. ## Costs - [Costs](https://www.laurencegray.com/costs/): Full day £1,250 plus VAT per party (7 hours, 10am to 5pm). Half day £750 plus VAT per party (4 hours, 10am to 2pm). Both rates include preparation and reading in. The fee is normally shared equally between the parties. Cancellation charges: 25% if cancelled 11–15 working days before, 50% if 3–10 working days before, 100% if 2 working days or fewer. ## Questions and answers - [FAQ](https://www.laurencegray.com/faq/): Answers to common questions about mediation, including whether the mediator can give legal advice, whether parties must attend in person, what happens if no agreement is reached, and whether a mediated settlement is binding. ## What clients say - [Testimonials](https://www.laurencegray.com/testimonials/): Feedback from instructing solicitors, barristers and participants. - Charles French Solicitors: "Laurence was excellent in every respect. He had plainly read the papers beforehand, fully understood the key issues and appreciated what mattered most to our clients." - Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP: "Laurence was extremely helpful. He was fully prepared for the case and had read all the papers." - Foot Anstey: "Laurence is a very effective mediator. He builds a good rapport with both solicitors and clients and gets to the heart of the dispute quickly." - Dunn & Baker: "Laurence spent time listening to the client's concerns and remained professional throughout. A settlement was achieved in circumstances where all parties considered it unlikely." - A barrister acting for one of the parties: "Mr Gray was fair and even-handed between the parties whilst constructively encouraging both to find the creative solution that eventually led to successful settlement." - A participant: "You were very professional in your approach to helping us reach a settlement." ## Blog - [Blog index](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/): Practical articles on civil and commercial mediation, dispute resolution and the alternatives to litigation. - [When a tenant cannot agree to give up possession: can mediation still work?](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/possession-tenant-cannot-agree-to-leave/) (15 June 2026): A tenant in a possession claim who agrees to leave risks being found intentionally homeless. Mediation still works — but the settlement must change shape. - [What happens if the other side refuses to mediate?](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/what-if-other-side-refuses-to-mediate/) (28 April 2026): You cannot force the other side to mediate, but since 2023 an unreasonable refusal — or silence — can carry serious costs consequences. Where the law stands. - [When should you consider mediation?](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/when-to-consider-mediation/) (7 April 2026): Most people treat mediation as a last resort. In fact the earlier you consider it the better — for your costs, your nerves and your chances of settling. - [What documents to send to the mediator and what to bring to the mediation](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/what-to-bring-to-mediation/) (17 March 2026): What to send the mediator in advance and what to take with you on the day — the agreed bundle, the practical items, and how to prepare mentally. - [Why boundary disputes settle at mediation](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/mediating-boundary-disputes/) (24 February 2026): Boundary disputes are among the most common cases referred to mediation, and the most emotionally charged. Why mediation succeeds where litigation fails. - [Landlord and tenant: why mediation beats the tribunal](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/landlord-tenant-mediation/) (3 February 2026): Tribunal proceedings for landlord and tenant disputes are slow, stressful and often satisfy neither party. Mediation is faster, cheaper and more flexible. - [What does a mediator actually do all day?](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/what-does-a-mediator-do/) (13 January 2026): A mediation day is unlike anything most people have experienced. What a mediator is actually doing, and thinking, from preparation through to settlement. - [The without prejudice rule: what it means in mediation](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/without-prejudice-rule-in-mediation/) (2 December 2025): One of the most misunderstood concepts in dispute resolution: what without prejudice means, how it applies in mediation, and why it matters. - [The true cost of going to court](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/true-cost-of-going-to-court/) (11 November 2025): Most people badly underestimate the cost of civil litigation. An honest account of what taking a dispute to trial really costs, and how mediation compares. - [When mediation isn't suitable](https://www.laurencegray.com/blog/when-mediation-isnt-suitable/) (21 October 2025): Mediation is not right for every dispute. Here is an honest account of the cases where it is unlikely to help — and what the alternatives might be. ## Contact - [Contact form](https://www.laurencegray.com/contact/): An initial conversation is free and without obligation. - Email: mediation@laurencegray.com - Telephone: 07757 216 786 - Location: Cornwall, England. In-person mediation across Devon and Cornwall; remote mediation by Zoom throughout the UK. ## Company and compliance - LGDR Limited, trading as Laurence Gray Mediation. Company No: 08809891. - Registered office: Stanton House, St Just in Roseland, Truro, Cornwall TR2 5HZ. - [Complaints Procedure](https://www.laurencegray.com/complaints/): Complaints acknowledged within 5 working days, with a full written response within 21 days. Unresolved complaints may be escalated to the Civil Mediation Council. ## Full text - [llms-full.txt](https://www.laurencegray.com/llms-full.txt): The complete text of every article on this site, for AI systems that need the full content rather than summaries.