■ Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all those people who have helped my own learning about how to avoid and resolve disputes. In particular I would like to thank: Nigel Ostime for suggesting that I should consider writing this book in the first place; Christopher Miers for supporting and encouraging my first steps into the world of dispute resolution; my colleagues at Probyn Miers for sharing their knowledge, experience and general good fellowship with me so freely; and Fay Gibbons at RIBA Publishing for her tireless reading, constructive editing and diplomatic suggestions.

Finally, I must thank my wife Svetlana and sons Leo and Gabriel for their continued tolerance and support despite my many absences, both physical and mental, during the writing of the book.