Hazel Smith

Consultant

Experience. Perspective. Resolution.

Hazel brings extensive experience of litigation and dispute resolution developed over a long career practising in both England and the Isle of Man.

As a founding member of Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd and now a Consultant to the firm, Hazel’s experience spans civil litigation, personal injury, clinical negligence, insurance, employment and family law, giving her a breadth of perspective that is increasingly rare in specialist practice.

Her current practice has a particular emphasis on mediation and dispute resolution, together with selected litigation and supporting the wider Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd team on complex matters.

Sometimes experience is knowing which arguments to pursue — and which ones not to.

Mediation & dispute resolution

Hazel is a qualified and accredited mediator and accepts appointments to act independently as mediator.

Her extensive experience of contentious work gives her an understanding not only of the legal issues underlying a dispute, but of why apparently straightforward disagreements can become difficult to resolve.

Cost, risk, personality, principle and the history between the parties can all influence a dispute.

Effective mediation requires an understanding of those dynamics without losing sight of the legal and practical realities.

As mediator, Hazel does not decide the dispute or advise either party.

Her role is to help the parties identify the issues and explore whether an agreement can be reached.

The solution does not always need to come from a court.

Experience shared

Hazel’s role as Consultant allows Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd to retain the benefit of her experience while the next generation of the firm’s Advocates develops its own practices.

She discusses strategy, evidence and difficult legal issues with colleagues and provides support on cases where her particular experience adds value.  That reflects an important part of Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth’s approach.

Experience should not sit in individual silos.  It should strengthen the team around the client.

The right person does the work. The right experience remains behind them.

Working with Hazel

Hazel’s approach is measured and pragmatic.

Years spent conducting litigation provide perspective about which issues are genuinely important, where compromise may be sensible and where a position needs to be maintained.

That experience is particularly valuable in mediation.

Resolving a dispute requires an understanding not only of the argument, but of what is preventing agreement.