Medical negligence litigation is completely different to most other tort litigation.  Plaintiffs feel deeply and personally aggrieved.  Lack of communication with their doctor or hospital is often not only an issue, but can be a driving factor.  Severe consequences of such as the death of a spouse, close relative or child or a catastrophic change in family circumstances such as occurs in the case of a severely disabled child give rise to highly emotional litigation.  There may even be a desire for revenge.

Doctors find the allegations against them personally insulting, emotionally hurtful, and a challenge to their professional integrity.  Such cases often attract media coverage and are damaging to a doctor or hospital’s reputation whatever the result.  
Trials are complex and invariably very expensive (sometimes with international experts) to run. 

Based on my experience of having participated in many mediations both as a  mediator and for a party, in this area, I would address how the above issues manifest themselves during a mediation, how to prepare for such a mediation, how the mediator should deal with the unique issues which arise, and how a party conduct oneself at the mediation itself so as to ensure the best possible outcome for his or her client.

The paper and the presentation would address, in a practical sense based on real life situations, the specific issues which arise.  I  would endeavour to engage the audience – even engaging in a quasi hypothetical - about how to deal with numerous specific problems which can (and have arisen) in course of mediation in this unique field.

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Campbell has an addiction to the outdoors and travel, especially the cultures, scenery and peoples of remote Asia from the high mountains of Central Asia and the Himalaya right through to Indonesia.

In his spare time Campbell moonlights as a freelance photographer and travel writer. His published work about the Silk Road, the Himalaya, India, Bhutan and especially Indonesia has appeared in many international cultural, airline and travel magazines and other publications. The complexity of large populations, different cultures, religions and ethnic groups make these countries fascinating destinations.

When not occupied with professional life as a lawyer and mediator, travel, writing and photography, he resides in Sydney with his wife and they have two sons.