When you are stuck in a dispute, it rarely feels like just a legal or technical problem - it feels exhausting, frustrating, and deeply personal.You shouldn't have to fight an aggressive process just to have your voice heard.Our goal at Brightbridge is simple: to offer a steady, supportive space where you can work through the noise and find a practical way forward.
Hi, I’m Christopher Smith-Whicker
Professional, accessible dispute resolution, fact-finding, and conflict coaching online across the UK, plus in-person peer mediation training for schools.
Dispute Resolution That adapts to Your Mind and Well-being
When conflict hits, it’s rarely just a legal or technical issue — it’s exhausting, overwhelming, and deeply personal. You shouldn't have to navigate an aggressive or rigid system just to get things resolved.At Brightbridge, we focus on practical, human-centred conflict resolution. Drawing on extensive experience in managing risk and supporting people through complex disputes, our work is built on helping individuals and organisations navigate crisis points and difficult decisions with clarity and safety.We support you through three core services: Dispute Mediation to facilitate structured conversations and reach workable agreements, Fact-Finding & Reviews to independently establish an objective, clear baseline of facts whenever trust has broken down, and 1-on-1 Conflict Coaching to give you practical prep for navigating tough conversations on your own terms.As Neurodiversity and Mental Health Champions, we don't use a fixed, rigid process.
RADICALLY ACCESSIBLE:
Everyone handles pressure differently. We move at a manageable pace, drop the legal jargon, and keep the environment straightforward and low-stress. All documentation and reports can be provided in tailored formats or large print upon request.
CLEAR AND IN CONTROL:
Our job is to help you weigh your options calmly and manage risk effectively, giving you a clear way through without the unnecessary emotional and financial strain of formal proceedings.
About your mediator
Christopher Smith-Whicker BA (Hons), PG Cert, PG Dip, MSc, LLMMy background bridges legal expertise with front-line practice. As an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator, registered Social Worker, and trained practitioner in restorative and natural justice, I bring years of crisis intervention and high-stakes conflict experience to my mediation practice — helping people evaluate risk, cut through the pressure of high-stress decisions, and find a clear solution-focused way forward.That experience shapes everything I do. I understand how stress alters decision-making and how easily communication breaks down.Instead of forcing you into a rigid or overly clinical process, I focus on the human side of conflict. I’ll help you look at options clearly, weigh up risks, and stay in control of your own outcomes — without the crippling costs, endless delays, or emotional toll of a courtroom battle.When I’m not working with clients, I stay grounded spending time with my family — whether we’re scrambling outdoors, taking trips to the coast, or when I get a quiet moment, diving into books and podcasts on cosmology and astrophysics.
Services
Civil and Commercial Mediation (Online Across the UK)
NEIGHBOUR AND COMMUNITY: Boundary issues, shared driveways, noise, and ongoing friction.CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL: Landlord/tenant disputes, contracts, workplace friction, and disputed estates.WHAT TO EXPECT: A supportive, step-by-step journey from your initial free chat, through gentle 1-on-1 prep sessions, to a collaborative resolution.
Fact-finding/Independent review (online/in-person)
When conflicting accounts obscure the truth, an impartial investigation provides total clarity. We establish objective facts so you can determine your next steps under your own policies and procedures.MICRO FACT-FINDING: Concise investigation for single-issue matters. Includes core document review, up to two interviews, and a summary report of findings.STANDARD FACT FINDING AND REVIEWS: In-depth review for complex or multi-party disputes. Includes extensive document analysis, multi-stakeholder interviews, and a comprehensive factual report.Impartial and delivered on a capped fixed-fee basis. We establish the facts, decision-making remains entirely yours.
1-on-1 Conflict Coaching (online across the uk)
Strategic 1-on-1 support to help you navigate high-stakes disputes, manage difficult conversations, and regain control. We give you the clarity and tools to resolve conflict effectively on your own terms.SINGLE SESSION: 1-hour focused preparation for an upcoming conversation, meeting, or milestone.STANDARD PACKAGE: Includes initial case review, a 90-minute core strategy session, and a 30-minute debrief.INTENSIVE PACKAGE: Comprehensive support across key dispute milestones, including case review, a setup call, three 60-minute strategy sessions, and a final 1-hour debrief.Practical, confidential, and tailored to your specific situation.
Peer Mediation Training (For Schools) (in-person)
Full-day, on-site training that equips primary (Year 6) and secondary (Years 10–11) students with real-life listening, de-escalation, and problem-solving skills.Why it matters: Drastically cuts staff workloads, empowers empathetic young leaders, and includes full safeguarding and teacher supervision training.Want to bring inclusive peer mentoring to your school?
Transparent Pricing & Inclusive Support
Dispute Mediation (Civil and commercial)
Clear, predictable fees. All services are agreed in writing and paid in advance. Neutral facilitation to resolve disputes without court.Discovery Call: Free (20 mins).Intake Consultation: Case-by-case (Benchmark £120/hr).Claims up to £50,000: £75 to £445 per party (CMC Fixed Scheme).Claims over £50,000: Negotiated (£600 half-day / £1,100 full-day per party).Overtime: £100/hr (<£50k) or £150/hr (>£50k) per party.
Fact-Finding & Independent Reviews
Objective investigations into grievances, governance issues, procedural failings, or disputes.Evaluated strictly against available evidence and internal policies.Micro Review: £660 (Up to 5.5 hours — up to 2 interviews; includes summary email report).Standard Review: £900 (1 day / 7.5 hours — more than 2 interviews; includes full written report).Complex Investigation: £1,800 (2 days / 15 hours — multi-party and multiple witnesses; includes full written report).Add-on Option: Add a 30-minute debrief call to any Micro or Standard Review for £50.Additional Hours: £120/hr.Capped upfront. Billed to the commissioning organisation or split by agreement.
1-on-1 Conflict Coaching
Practical, confidential guidance to help individuals manage active disputes, improve communication, and prepare for difficult conversations or formal processes independently.Single Call: £120 (1-hour focused strategy session to analyse a specific issue and map immediate next steps).Standard Package: £360 (3 hours total — 1-hour fact-gathering, 90-minute strategy session, and 30-minute debrief).Intensive Package: £600 (5 hours total — 1-hour fact-gathering, three 60-minute strategy sessions, and 1-hour debrief).Add-on Option: £50 to add a 30-minute debrief or extend an existing 30-minute debrief to a full hour.
Peer Mediation Training
We don't charge a flat, one-size-fits-all fee because every school is different. Instead, we chat about your group sizes and what you need, then agree on a fair day rate that works for you. Whether you're running primary or secondary sessions, everything is completely tailored.
Low Income Scheme
Brightbridge reserves a portion of its monthly schedule for individuals and non-profits facing financial constraints, with concessions assessed individually at our full discretion.Tier A offers up to a 50% discount on Coaching and Mediation Intake fees for individuals on income-tested benefits, those earning below the UK Living Wage, or anyone experiencing temporary financial hardship.Tier B provides up to a 30% discount on Micro and Standard Reviews for charities, Community Interest Companies, and voluntary groups.To apply, simply mention the scheme during your initial Discovery Call, as places are awarded monthly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Policies, Terms & Complaints
I am committed to absolute transparency. Private individuals also retain a clear 14-day statutory right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.Cancellations & Terms of Business:
Complaints Procedure & Redress Policy:
(Note: Professional body routes focus on professional conduct rather than acting as a mechanism for financial compensation).