Andrew Sims
Profile

Mediating

• Family relations - Andrew specialises in mediating interpersonal conflict and disputes within families. This could be over a family inheritance; a sibling fallout; a family business, or succession plan; a disagreement over the care of elderly relatives; or intergenerational tensions.

• Special educational needs & disability (SEND) mediation.

• Mediating disputes and conflicts in colleges and at work.

• Community mediation, including homelessness prevention and peer mediation in schools.

Consulting

• Supervision and mentoring and supervision for trainees and experienced mediators.

• Advising mediation practices.

Research

• 'Inheritance Disputes and their Resolution', with Dr Maria Federica Moscati. This ongoing research project received ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Sussex. The purpose of the study is to understand the sources of inheritance disputes, how they are resolved, whether mediators consider them as family or commercial disputes, and how they decide which style and models to adopt for their resolution.

Writing

• See links below to recently published articles.

Training

• Mediation foundation and family specialism training (through LBA Excellence)

• Group supervision; seminars and workshops on mediation related topics.

• Family Inheritance Mediation Training - coming soon.

• For trained & experienced mediators:

• Family inheritance disputes are among the most complex and emotionally charged conflicts that mediators encounter. What may begin as a disagreement can rapidly escalate into a dispute that threatens the stability of the family unit.

• This training programme will explore the unique dynamics of inheritance disputes, why they can be particularly challenging to resolve, and the approaches and skills that can help parties move towards a way forward. Drawing on real life examples, the training will explore common causes of family inheritance disputes, practical mediation techniques, legal and commercial considerations, and lessons for mediators working in this increasingly important area practice.

A specialist mediator in full time practice since 2010. Andrew comes from a business background and holds a degree in social psychology.

He is experienced in facilitating emotionally charged negotiations. He brings to bear his clear understanding of the dynamics of conflict and his invaluable experience gained across many different mediation fields.

Andrew specialises in mediating interpersonal conflict and disputes within families.

'Very smooth process and the meeting was well mediated, with everyone having a chance to discuss their viewpoint and clear outcomes at the end'. Commissioner of mediation

'Andrew has been brilliant throughout. He helped me to make an informed decision about what the best way forward was'. Participant

'Amazing, went above and beyond'. Participant

'I found Andrew to be interested, caring and considerate. He was able to understand our issues and was very helpful in facilitating and summing up'. Participant

'Very calm, patient and good understanding'. Participant

'Andrew was clear with his communication prior to the meeting. He kept the flow of the mediation moving along at a good pace, ensuring everyone was listened to and able to voice their opinions. Clear outcomes were summarised at the end. Thank you'. Commissioner of mediation

'Professional, helpful, efficient'. Participant

'Andrew allowed me to feel in control'. Participant

'Andrew was friendly, polite, extremely efficient, and great at putting everyone at ease. A very positive experience overall'. Participant

'I was really grateful for Andrew's reassuring and calm manner during this mediation. Thank you Andrew for being so skilful at what you do'. Participant

'Mr Sims was highly professional. He kept us informed at every step, and displayed the utmost empathy. We are very fortunate to have had him with us on our mediation journey. Thank you so much'. Participant

Andrew has been described as a constructive and pragmatic mediator.

He is highly skilled in creating the right atmosphere for openness, creative thinking and collaborative working.

Andrew believes that if most people are given the opportunity to work together, think creatively and problem solve in a safe and structured setting, then with the help of a skilled and experienced mediator, most things can be sorted out.

• Accredited Family Mediator (FMCA)
• Registered Civil and Commercial Mediator
• Accredited Special Educational Needs (SEN) Mediator
• Professional Practice Consultant (PPC)
• Fellow of the Civil Mediation Council

Present

• Founder, SIMS Mediation, Specialist Independent Mediation Services), a practice specialising in high conflict, complex, multi-party disputes.
• Accredited SEND Mediator, Prime Resolution, (a leading SEND mediation service provider).
• Trainer, LBA Excellence, Mediation Foundation & Family Specialism courses.

2010– 2019

• Service Manager, South East London Family Mediation Bureau, (2016-2019)
• Mediation Development Consultant, Herts Young Homeless, (2015-2016)
• Co-founder, Mediating Futures, privately-funded family mediation, (2014-2016)

Voluntary roles

• Trustee & volunteer, Southwark Mediation Centre (2011-2019).
• Volunteer family and intergenerational mediator, Wandsworth Mediation Service (2012-2016)
• Mediation Coach, TalkingWorks, a charity which teaches mediation skills to school children.
• Member of the Professional Standards Committee of the College of Mediators (2018-2025)

Other

• Invited to talk to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Alternative Dispute Resolution (APPGADR) about the benefits of Peer Mediation (2014)
• Assessor to the Peer Mediation programme at Bacon's College, London (2014)
• Independent Mediator to the Government (DCLG) Planning Mediation Services Panel (2012).

• 2026 - Restorative Practice Facilitator, Charlotte Calkin, Restorative Engagement Forum.

• 2022 – Trauma Informed Survivor Support training, through The National Association for People Abused in Childhood. (The course is designed to equip professionals with knowledge about the impact of child abuse in adulthood and fundamental skills to engage with abuse survivors in a way that is empowering and guards against re-traumatisation).

• 2021 – Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) mediation training, Hugo Besterman, Prime Resolution (accredited by the College of Mediators and the Civil Mediation Council).

• 2020 – Restorative Justice training, Janet Clark, Restorative Approaches.

• 2019 – Professional Practice Consultant (PPC) training, Jackie Norton, National Family Mediation.

• 2012 – Family mediation training Tony Whatling, Lorraine Bramwell, Lesley Allport, (recognized by the Family Mediation Council)

• 2011 – Workplace mediation training, UK Mediation, as below

• 2010 - Community mediation training, Dave Walker (MBE), Southwark Mediation Centre

• 2010 - Commercial mediation training, Dr Mike Talbot, UK Mediation (nationally accredited by the Law Society, The Bar Council and the Civil Mediation Council).

• Indicative rates for mediation are £150 per hour, per person (incl VAT).
• Andrew is based in London and mediates in person and online.

• COMING SOON: Reflections of a Mediator on Inheritance Mediation: Are Family Mediators Receiving Appropriate Training and Adequate Practice Support? in Amicus Curiae, Series 2, Vol 8, No 1 (2026)

• ‘Mediating Family Inheritance Disputes’, in Mediation Theory and Practice Journal, (2023)

• ‘What can different fields of mediation learn from one another and how might this inform current practice’, in Mediation Theory and Practice Journal, Edited by Professor Pablo Cortes and Professor Maria Moscati, published by Equinox, (2021)

• Exploring the scope of family mediation in England & Wales’ in ‘Family Mediation: Contemporary Issues’, Edited by Marian Roberts & Maria Federica Moscati, published by Bloomsbury Professional, (2020)

• See link below to a review by Dominic Raeside, (Head Family Mediation at at Family Law in Partnership) who commented: 'The book is both an academic and theoretical tour de force, but also an answer to many practice issues' and 'This impressive book is a must read for all dispute resolution practitioners'.
• https://www.flip.co.uk/a-review-by-dominic-raeside-family-mediation-contemporary-issues/

• Andrew enjoys family life, squash, theatre, tennis, sailing and reading.
• Fundraising: He has cycled from London to Paris (for The Royal British Legion) in 2007 and 2026; rowed from Richmond to Greenwich in the Great London River Race (for the AHOY Centre); and walked the 80 mile Great Glen Way in Scotland in 48 hours (for Herts Young Homeless).