Michael Cover, FCIArb, CArb

MEDIATION EXPERIENCE

An ADR Group-accredited and CEDR-registered Mediator, with extensive experience in mediations in the areas of intellectual property and information technology, contractual disputes and financial services.

Areas of specialisation:

Intellectual Property and Information Technology; media law; contractual disputes; insurance and financial services.

Experience of in excess of 70 mediations, including a UK Design Rights case (settled), a complex international dispute on investment management, a dispute relating to personal guarantees and lease finance and a complex IP dispute in healthcare; also an international dispute relating to the IP surrounding a well-known cartoon character (settled); a mediation under the CEDR/Financial Services Authority Scheme (settled) and a mediation of a major commercial dispute in the area of raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry (settled); lead mediator in IP and contractual cases; lead mediator in an IT dispute ( settled); mediator in a major music dispute.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Professional Experience

Partner, Charles Russell LLP, 2005 to present
Partner, Faegre Benson Hobson Audley LLP, 2002-2005;
Partner, Mishcon de Reya, 1999-2002;
Head of IP, Davies Arnold Cooper, 1987-99, Partner from 1989;
Trade Marks Department, latterly Deputy-Head of Legal Services (Head of Intellectual Property ), Allied-Lyons plc, 1973-87;

Educational and Professional Qualifications

Barrister, 1973; Solicitor, 1988;
LLB University of Southampton, 1972;
CEDR Accredited Mediator, CEDR, August 2002;
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom, 2006; Chartered Arbitrator 2008
WIPO Domain Name Panellist, 2002;
Member, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center’s List of Neutrals, 2003;
ADR Group Accredited Mediator, May 2003;
Member, ICC Panel of Neutrals;
CEDR Registered Mediator, CEDR, August 2003;
Member, ADR Chambers Panel of Mediators and Arbitrators, 2003;
Member, INTA-CPR Panel of Neutrals, March 2004;
Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Panel of Mediators, September 2004.

OTHER DISPUTE RESOLUTION EXPERIENCE

Supporting Member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association.

Acting as a WIPO Domain Name Panellist and advising clients on UDRP and Nominet domain disputes.

Member INTA-CPR Panel of Neutrals.

FEEDBACK

“ We thought that ( Michael ) did a good job as the mediator- this was not just because we achieved a settlement but because we felt that the change in the other side’s stance over the course of the day to an altogether more reasonable attitude was in large part due to him… One of the attendees was a US lawyer with extensive experience of mediation over 50 years and his comment at the end was that not many mediators could have achieved the result Michael did “- Adviser to a Party in a Mediation.

“ ( Michael’s ) skills as a mediator enabled the ill-will that was evident at the outset to be diffused during the course of the day…..Needless to say, (Michael) showed a clear understanding of the facts and issues and had clearly done a considerable amount of preparatory work. This was important given the complex IP and contractual issues in dispute and enabled you not only to build rapport with but also the confidence of both sides. The result was that an extremely unfortunate dispute was brought to an end “ -Adviser to a Party in a Mediation.

“ I am grateful for ( Michael’s ) efforts at the mediation and thereafter which I believe were instrumental in bringing the parties together. Many thanks “ Adviser to a Party in a Mediation.

OTHER SKILLS

Regular writer, speaker and presenter on ADR topics, including being the co-presenter of a workshop on mediating IP disputes at the CIArb Mediation Symposium, September 2008.

Languages – English, French, German.