In possibly the most radical transformation of the marketplace of the last decade, leading provider In Place of Strife (IPOS) is to abandon its panel structure and re-launch as a set of mediation chambers.

Functioning as a chambers from late November, IPOS will comprise a smaller, more close-knit team of 13 members who are expected to work significantly, though not exclusively, through the new set. The restructuring comes as a response to changing marketing conditions underscored by IPOS Head of Chambers Mark Jackson-Stops's belief that the panel business model had 'run its course.' 

According to Jackson-Stops, operating as a set of chambers offers, 'greater transparency about the arrangements, which isn't true of the plethora of "panels"'. 

Talking exclusively to The Mediator Magazine he said, 'The chambers has a wide choice of styles and background to choose from, and all members are highly regarded among end users and their peers. 

'The chambers will be unique in presenting very experienced mediators who appear well up the Legal 500 and Chambers rankings, which effectively means that you can choose any one of them with confidence. That is the essence of the brand,' he said.

The move is also designed to close-off rising cynicism about panels. According to Jackson-Stops, 'Some see them as window dressing for either the person who set up the panel or the directors of the business running the panel, and they include a disparate level of quality. Their presence on the panel might be for reasons other than their mediation skills.' He added, 'this hasn't been true of IPOS in the past but continuing as a panel muddies profile and brand. It is about differentiation.'   

IPOS will maintain the brand name under which it has operated successfully as a panel since 1995, but with the additional strapline 'The Mediation Chambers'. Founder members of chambers are: 

1.  Elizabeth Birch

2.  Amanda Bucklow 

3.  Mark Jackson-Stops 

4.  Lawrence Kershen QC

5.  Jon Lang 

6.  Mark Linnell

7.  Charles Middleton-Smith

8.  Andrew Paton 

9.  Phillip Howell-Richardson 

10. David Richbell 

11. Beverly-Ann Rogers

12. Quentin Smith 

13. and Roger Tabakin   

IPOS will maintain links with former panel members and send work externally where the skillset of those outside chambers is more appropriate to the case. Looking forward, as a corporate entity, chambers aims to be in a strong position to invest in marketing and in 'pushing the market for professional standards...including peer review, CPD and feedback forms.' 

In bringing 13 such prominent mediators together as a team, the restructuring represents a major threat to the direct appointment orthodoxy which has developed over the last decade. Now only two of the UK's top 40 mediators, as listed in The Legal 500, remain independent and unaffiliated.

Jackson-Stops maintains that 'There is a lack of guidance for end users of mediation. IPOS will offer a valuable service which will take the stress and risk of uncertainty away from choosing a mediator, but it will be more than just talk.' 

Unlike Independent Mediators, a four-member chambers run by David Douglas, IPOS members will not be tied-in exclusively. Members will continue existing loyalties, where appropriate, to barristers' chambers and law firm partnerships. According to Jackson-Stops, 'this concept of dual loyalty causes no difficulties to IPOS or individual members.'  

Through offering convenience, administrative efficiency, a strong marketing brand, and not least comradeship, Jackson-Stops hopes members will be encouraged to, 'operate significantly and many exclusively, through IPOS.' 

Members will have their diaries managed centrally, mediate under a common agreement, and charge according to published fee guidelines. Chambers' cut is believed to be in the region of 10%.