“As a mediator, I provide a safe, confidential, and neutral environment in which everyone can start to build better dialogue.”

Dr Mike Talbot, Founder & CEO UK Mediation

Transforming conflict, building dialogue, and maintaining people’s relationships

Carefully watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Manage and watch your words, for they will become your actions. Consider and judge your actions, for they have become your habits. Acknowledge and watch your habits, for they shall become your values. Understand and embrace your values, for they become your destiny.”
Mahatma Ghandi

Values represent what is important to you in your way of living which, of course, includes the way that you work.  It is almost impossible to separate your personal values from your professional values because you bring 'you' to your work! Also, work is usually something we invest in for most of our waking hours. Trying to 'edit out' who you are at your core or changing your internal value system at work, could result in a great deal of career dissatisfaction, stress and anxiety as your inner compass tells you that you are out of integrity. 

At Amber Law, our core values are Balance and Integrity as well as three of the ‘Yamas’, (Book 2, Sutra 30 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali), also known as ‘the observances’, ‘right living’, or ‘ethical standards’, which are Truthfulness, Non-violence and Non-stealing.

Balance

Harmony is a beautiful balance between mind, body and soul measured in tender peaceful moments.” 
Melanie Koulouris

At Amber Law, we strive to resolve legal problems and disputes with ‘inner’ balance for our clients’ mind, body and soul in the knowledge that we are all the sum total of our parts (mind, body and soul) and that legal problems or disputes cannot be treated as separate from these parts. Any conflict will impact peace of mind through stress and anxiety and we know that when peace of mind is disturbed, so too is the body’s nervous system which includes the digestive system. For example, some of our clients have suffered from headaches, stomach pain, ulcers, insomnia and children have been affected with nightmares, bedwetting and tummy aches.

In resolving conflict Amber Law also strives for ‘outer’ balance. This means striving for harmony, with all involved in the conflict, where possible. If anyone involved in the conflict perceives or believes themselves treated unfairly in any settlement, they will harbour resentment and ill will. Whilst those feelings and emotions remain, the conflict remains, even if it is legally resolved. If there is no closure or finality people are still trapped or imprisoned in mind, body and spirit. This is why justice must be done and be seen to be done, not only for our clients but for all involved.

Integrity

When you are able to maintain your own highest standards of integrity - regardless of what others may do - you are destined for greatness.” 
Napoleon Hill

To be integral means to be whole or complete. Integrity is the practice of truth, honesty and a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. Clients must feel able to trust and rely on you as their lawyer, as they are revealing their vulnerability and pain, disclosing family secrets or events they may feel guilty and ashamed of. It is absolutely necessary for lawyers to act with integrity at all times when holding space for our clients.

At Amber Law, we believe that justice cannot be attained without lawyers and court users living in personal and professional integrity, in authenticity - no matter who is watching.

Non-violence, not causing pain (Ahimsa)

In the presence of one firmly established in non-violence, all hostilities cease.” 
Sri Patanjali Book 2, Yoga Sutra 35.

Amber’s Holistic Law Model’s foundations are influenced in part by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, mediation skills and Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-Violent Communication skills. Amber Law promotes loving kindness to all we come into contact with. This includes our clients, those with whom they are in conflict with, their respective lawyers and all court users. To achieve this, we must be aware and mindful of our thoughts, words and actions. We must learn that, when triggered, we respond positively towards peaceful resolution rather than with a 'winning at all costs' or 'knee-jerk’ reaction. 'Winning at all costs' can actually cause more pain or add negative energy to the conflict. As Nalanie Harilela Chelleram wisely teaches, “Goodness does not equal weakness”.  Settlements and compromises can be reached from a place of goodness and be strong, just and equitable. 

In practising law with consciousness and awareness we create a space for gentle love and kindness. At Amber Law, evidence of this is seen in the positive outcomes to our clients’ cases when not only is conflict resolved, but our clients also enter a peaceful path moving forward with the tools, support and guidance from our Client Well-being Network.

Truthfulness (Satya)

With establishment in honesty, the state of fearlessness comes. One need not be afraid of anybody and can live an open life.” 
Sri Patanjali Book 2, Yoga Sutra 36.

Before you speak, ask yourself “Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” Satya includes right speech and truthful communication as well as skilful listening. These are skills all lawyers ought to harness. When truly practicing Satya one’s thoughts, words and actions are all in alignment with one another. Being truthful does not necessarily mean being so honest that you cause harm. Consider ahimsa (non-violence) by telling the truth in the gentlest, most thoughtful, insightful and constructive way possible.

At Amber Law, we work in alignment with our personal truth which is to practice Holistic Law and mediation in service to our own and to our clients’ mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing and healing. We seek to discover and unravel the truth about any given conflict, legal problem or dispute. By bringing light to conflicts, legal problems and disputes, solutions become clearer to see and easier to achieve. We hold truth as our highest value towards creating a more just world.

Non-Stealing (Asteya)

To one established in non-stealing, all wealth comes.” 
Sri Patanjali Book 2, Yoga Sutra 37

Amber’s Holistic Law Model puts our clients’ and their families’ best interests first. This means practising Holistic Law and mediation in a manner which does not steal our clients’ mental (peace of mind), emotional or physical health but instead safeguards our and our clients’ overall wellbeing and healing.

Non-stealing also means securing fair and reasonable early settlements and peaceful resolution over and above lengthy and costly litigation whenever this is possible; not stealing from but safeguarding our clients’ and their families’ finances, life savings and property.

It also means not running cases which are unmeritorious with little prospect of success at trial!

Many of us steal unknowingly. By being late for an appointment or meeting we are stealing another’s time and energy. By being lazy at work and taking our full pay cheque at the end of the month we steal from our employer. If you take credit for someone else’s idea or hard work you are also stealing. Do not take what does not belong to you. Do not take that which you have not earned.

Fear, pride, ego and competition can drive people to greed and to steal which can also mean not letting others use knowledge or resources. Sadly, in the legal world we can at times see competition over collaboration. At Amber Law, we connect with like-minded lawyers and organisations across the globe who strive to make a shift in legal culture towards collaboration, personal and professional growth.

In 2013, Amber joined a Global Movement that started in the 1980s in the USA and is growing in global influence towards a Holistic and Therapeutic approach to practicing law and thereby creating a more loving and peaceful human existence for all.

This is possible if more lawyers ‘awaken’ and harness our power as a force for good to then guide our clients from a place of conflict, towards a space of clarity, peace and healing; elevating social consciousness.

In tandem, global systems of legal education, law and policy must also be transformed by clearing and creating channels for the practice of heart-centred law and justice."

Amber Turner BSc (Hons) LLM, Founder Amber Law.

International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers

Promote peaceful advocacy and holistic legal principles.
Encourage compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing.
Advocate the need for a humane legal process.
Contribute to peace building at all levels.
Enjoy the practise of law.
Listen intentionally and deeply in order to gain complete understanding.
Acknowledge the opportunity in conflict.
Wholly honour and respect the dignity and integrity of each individual. 

• To promote Amber’s Holistic Law Model as a new method and measure of "success" for lawyers as you learn to harness your individual power and learn how to work in alignment with your life mission and soul purpose.
  
  
• To teach lawyers how to practice law "holistically" and support and empower clients throughout the positive resolution of their legal or mediation process. Many clients need to heal underlying issues which led to their legal problem or dispute and/or issues that have arisen because of their legal problem or dispute.
  
  
• To awaken lawyers to the possibility of working in a higher level of consciousness within existing methods of Alternate Dispute Resolution and Legal Practice. Some examples of practicing law outside the adversarial process include Holistic Law, Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Restorative Justice, Family Group Conferencing, Earth Law and other peaceful methods. These methods can be applied by all lawyers, no matter what area of practice you are in, across the globe.
  
  
• To inspire our clients in conflict, or with legal problems or disputes, that is in crisis, to find a peaceful win/win solutions and to empower their transformational journey to clarity, peace and healing; thereby elevating social consciousness.
  
  
• To positively transform systems of legal education, law and policy by awakening students, lawyers, clients, judges, court users and law and policy makers by creating educational products for law students and by clearing and creating channels for the practice of heart-centred law and justice.

International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers

Promote peaceful advocacy and holistic legal principles. 
Encourage compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing. 
Advocate the need for a humane legal process. 
Contribute to peace building at all levels. 
Enjoy the practise of law. 
Listen intentionally and deeply in order to gain complete understanding. 
Acknowledge the opportunity in conflict. 
Wholly honour and respect the dignity and integrity of each individual. 

Amber Turner BSc (Hons) LLM,
Founder Amber Law.

Maya Angelou famously said that, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

If your answer to any of those three components is 'no', if you feel that either you do not like aspects of yourself, or that you do not like what you do, or that despite liking what you do you may not like how you are doing it, you have come to the right place!

You may feel that you 'don't belong' or that you are, 'swimming against the tide' in the current legal practice structure in which you work, which will likely be both mentally and emotionally exhausting and dis-spiriting.

In consultation, you will be invited to reflect on where you have come from, where you are at, where you are currently heading and most importantly, to recognise and accept that there is definitely a better, happier, healthier pathway for you.  You can enjoy this kind of success in both your personal and professional life. 

I offer consultations and workshops for students, lawyers, solicitors and barristers interested in learning my Holistic Law Model and importantly, to learn how you can apply this model in practice to:

• your own legal practice and client work, wherever you are currently working at, even if still within the adversarial legal system; or
• to set up your own legal practice, adopting my Holistic Law Model as your new structure.

Alternatively, why not join a law firm within the Global Integrative Law Movement that offers new, more holistic, peaceful, collaborative, restorative and healing models of legal practice, for you and your clients? If this is your decision, I can help connect you!

The world's consciousness and awareness is shifting.   We are seeing this happen not only in the legal field, but in the educational, medical and environmental fields (and others) too.  Like-minded students, lawyers, judges, policy-makers and academics are connecting at an unprecedented rate, to build a new experience of justice for the world.  Be part of it and start today!

As Neale Donald Walsch says, "If not you, who?  If not now, when?"

To book your consultation and/ or group Workshop please fill in the Contact Us Form to the right and press 'send'.  A member of our Team will contact you soonest.

Please see what our Clients and Collaborators say about us in our Testimonials section.

What Kind Of Cases Are Suitable For Mediation?

All (if not most) disputes/ conflicts can be resolved using Mediation. Cases when Mediation may not be appropriate is when there is violence and the matter is of a criminal nature. In those cases, please contact your local Police Station and/ or Social Services for support, direction, guidance and protection.

Examples of Mediation cases include:

• Workplace:  most of us spend more waking hours at work than we do at home.  Disputes/ conflicts can arise between one or more employees, or between employees and Management, or within Management, usually due to a breakdown in communication.  There may be other reasons such as poor leadership and/ or bullying.  
• Family Relationships:  they say we hurt the ones we love the most.  Sometimes couples/ families need the support of an intervener to help guide them in communicating each other's fears, wants and needs and how those needs can be met, or not met.   Disputes may arise between partners.  There will be cases where the best outcome is separation or divorce.  In other cases, these relationships may be restored and healed.  For family therapy including parents and children, please see our [Holistic Well-being Network].  
• Any other breakdown in communication between two or more people.

What is the Mediation Process?

Sometimes, however hard we try to avoid them, disputes and conflicts come about in our personal life and/ or at work. These disputes/ conflicts can make us feel lost, overwhelmed, confused and even to be fearful, stressed or depressed.

Everyone reacts to conflict differently. Some of us fight it, some of us run away from it and others ignore it - but there is only one way to resolve conflict and that is by facing it and working through it! Mediation is available whether the dispute or conflict is a legal one or not.

Mediation is a process where every person involved in the dispute/ conflict has the chance to sit alone with the Mediator to express his/ her concerns and to give their side of the story. It is important that the person seeking the Mediation be heard in a safe environment and in a non-judgmental way.

Soon after the Mediator’s private meetings, a full day is set aside for all involved in the dispute/ conflict to come together, to work through the process of finding their own practical and fair solutions with a ‘win-win’ approach with the Mediator’s support and guidance. Sometimes it is two people who are in dispute/ conflict and other times there are more than two people involved. Mediations are also available for large groups who are in dispute/ conflict.

Once an Agreement is reached, (which may be agreed to be confidential or not), the Mediator gives all a follow-up appointment for 6 weeks on. This is an opportunity to iron out any practical or other problems which may have arisen. Sometimes even with good will and with the best of intentions on all sides, an unforeseeable matter may arise which is affecting one or more person being able to honour the Agreement. Maybe someone has intentionally broken the terms of the Agreement. The Mediator will offer support and guidance in addressing the concerns including, making any further changes required if necessary, to the Agreement, to ensure its success moving forward.

“The success rate for Mediations in the UK stands at approximately 80%”
Dr Mike Talbot, Founder and CEO UK Mediation

The Benefits of Mediation vs Attending Court or the Employment Tribunal

• Mediation saves you time and money.
• Mediation is less formal and more relaxed than a Court/ Tribunal environment, therefore it can be less intimidating or stressful and be more beneficial mentally and emotionally.
• It is confidential and can be used to help restore or maintain relationships, personal and/or in the Workplace.
• Mediation empowers you to have more control over the outcome of your case. You have a voice and take an active part in deciding a ‘win/win’ outcome. In Courts/ Tribunals, it is a third party (the Judge/ Chairperson) who makes the final decision for you, usually in a ‘win/ lose’ outcome.
• Mediation also allows for creative thinking and ‘out of the box’ solutions, whilst Court/ Tribunal outcomes may be more restrained, with Judges and Chairpersons having to follow laws and regulations.

What Is The Role Of The Mediator?

Mediators are specially trained accredited professionals who guide you through some of the most important issues of your case. Unlike Judges/ Chairpersons, a Mediator’s role is to work closely with the people involved to help to resolve the dispute/ conflict/ legal problem.

What are Your Responsibilities?

During the Mediation process you will be expected to:

• Provide clear, accurate and honest information to the best of your information, knowledge and belief.
• Address the root cause of the dispute/ conflict.
• Listen carefully to others without interrupting.
• Be respectful and courteous at all times to all involved.
• Respect the opinions of others even if you do not agree with them.
• Hold yourself accountable when you have to for your part (if any) in the dispute/ conflict.
• Work towards a ‘win-win’ solution, with everyone’s best interests at heart.

Together with our Holistic Well-being Network, you will also have the opportunity to co-create a path back to wellbeing - with the least mental, emotional or financial cost to you, or to your loved ones.

Please see what our Clients and Collaborators say about us in our Testimonials section. 

At Amber Law, we care about you - the client - first and foremost.

 Holistic Law is about: 

• Building a strong foundation of core values such as balance, truth, integrity, non-violence and non-stealing.
  
  
• Creatively resolving your legal problems and disputes away from court rooms. Importantly, this approach reduces mental, emotional and physical harm to both adults and children as well as reducing the time in obtaining results whilst keeping legal costs down. 
  
  
• Bringing you clarity and peace of mind, primarily by exploring the underlying reasons why you have a legal problem or dispute in the first place. This understanding will enable you to identify any red flags or triggers that may lead to negative or destructive behaviour or situations arising; consequently breaking the chain (possibly of intergenerational trauma) and avoiding similar circumstances arising in the future.
  
  
• Offering you a safe space of non-judgment, supported by our Client Well-being Network throughout and after the process of resolving your legal problems or disputes; empowering you to heal from any mental, emotional and/or physical pain created by having a legal problem or dispute; creating a gentle opening for you to embark on a new life path with new possibilities and opportunities.

We care about you and we care about why the legal problem or dispute arose.

What is it about?

• How is your legal problem or dispute affecting you mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually and/or financially?
• How is it affecting those with whom you are in a relationship with at home and/or at work?
• How is it affecting any children and how can we alleviate their symptoms of stress and anxiety?
• How many creative solutions can we identify to resolve the legal problem or dispute?
• Which solution will be the quickest and least costly to you and to your loved ones, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually and/or financially?

 Let's map out a new pathway together during the process so that you can visualise your future past this challenging time ... 

We know that addressing the legal problem or dispute alone is not enough and our aim is to provide our clients with a real chance of attaining peace of mind, wellbeing, healing and as much balance as possible in all aspects of their lives.

We deem it our moral and social responsibility to find solutions to the personal challenges that led to, or resulted from, the legal problem or dispute. In this way, we treat the client as a ‘whole’; that is holistically.

We care about how your family, friends, co-workers and employers may be affected. No person is an island. We recognise that if you are worried, stressed, anxious or depressed, those around you who care for you and with whom you share close relationships, may also be affected. This is perfectly normal and what we refer to as ‘the ripple effect’.

Together with our Client Well-being Network, you and your loved ones will have the opportunity to co-create a pathway back to wellbeing - with the least mental, emotional, physical, spiritual or financial cost to you or to your loved ones.

Why not take a look at our Blog to get to know more about Amber and Amber Law’s Mission and Vision, and meet our amazing Clients and Collaborators?

Please see what our Clients and Collaborators say about us in our Testimonials section.