For solicitors & professional advisers · Across Ireland

Independent work.
Your client relationship respected.

Workplace investigations and mediation for clients who need a separate, clearly defined appointment alongside your continuing advice.

We undertake the agreed independent assignment, respect your advisory relationship and hand the matter back through the agreed arrangements.

Start with a brief outline. Suitability, conflicts, availability and the proposed appointment are considered before work is accepted.

15+
Years in employment law

Experience informing our approach to workplace disputes.

All-Star Labour & Employment Law Practice of the Year 2025 & 2026

Employment Matters & Ormonde Solicitors · All-Ireland Business Foundation

MII Approved Mediator 2026
Melissa Wynne

MII Approved Mediator

A separate appointment

When your client needs independent capacity.

You may already be advising on a grievance, disciplinary matter or workplace dispute. A separate investigator can provide the fact-finding the matter needs, while a mediator can help willing participants explore a resolution.

A defined external appointment can ease the practical burden on your firm and client, with clear responsibility for the independent work.

  • Sensitive or complex complaintsWhere seniority, relationships or the nature of the allegations call for a separate perspective.
  • Pressure on internal resourcesWhere the client needs time and attention dedicated to a structured process.
  • An established advisory relationshipWhere your firm continues advising and a distinct independent appointment is appropriate.
  • A possible route to agreementWhere participants are willing to explore mediation and its suitability can be assessed.

Our referral commitment

A defined remit.
A respected relationship.

Your referral is for a particular piece of work. We respect that boundary and do not seek additional work from your referred client.

Before appointment, we agree who instructs us, the scope of the assignment, the points of contact and how the work will be concluded.

  • Your advisory role continuesThe independent appointment does not replace your existing relationship with the client.
  • Communication is purposefulWe agree appropriate contact and progress updates without compromising impartiality or confidentiality.
  • Findings remain independentAn investigation is not directed towards a result preferred by the commissioning party or referring adviser.
  • Closure is appropriate to the serviceInvestigation reporting and mediation closure follow their respective terms and information-sharing arrangements.

How referrals work

From an initial outline to an agreed assignment.

You do not need to send a complete file to start the conversation. A short outline lets us identify the information needed to assess the proposed appointment.

  1. Outline the matter

    Tell us your firm, the service required, the broad nature of the issue and any significant dates. Avoid detailed case papers at this stage.

  2. Assess the appointment

    We discuss suitability, availability and the information needed for conflict checks before confirming whether we can accept the work.

  3. Agree the terms

    Confirm the practitioner, instructing party, scope, fees, responsibilities, communication and proposed timetable.

  4. Carry out the process

    The investigator or mediator undertakes the agreed role, with appropriate procedural communication and independence maintained.

  5. Provide the agreed output

    Investigation reporting follows the terms of reference. Mediation closure reflects what may appropriately be shared under the mediation arrangements.

  6. Complete the handover

    The assignment concludes through the agreed arrangements, with your advisory relationship respected and any subsequent responsibilities clear.

Reporting and communication

Know what to expect before work starts.

We agree the output and its intended recipients at the outset. What can be reported differs between an investigation and a mediation.

  • For investigationsA report setting out the remit, process, relevant evidence, findings and reasons, with supporting material as agreed and appropriate.
  • For mediationClosure or documentation of an agreement as appropriate. Private discussions are not routinely reported back to the referrer; sharing follows the agreed confidentiality arrangements and applicable requirements.
  • For subsequent stagesAny disciplinary decision, appeal, advice or further work is outside the independent appointment unless separately considered and expressly agreed.

Experience and perspective

Understanding the dispute.
Respecting the independent role.

Our background in employee representation informs our understanding of how workplace concerns arise, how procedures are experienced and how decisions may be challenged. We apply that perspective to careful process and clear communication.

Appointment-specific suitability

We confirm the proposed practitioner and their role for each assignment. The scope and any potential conflicts are assessed before acceptance.

Mediation credentials

Melissa Wynne is an MII Approved Mediator. This credential relates to mediation; investigation suitability is considered separately.

A practical starting point

The initial enquiry is an intake and suitability discussion. It does not constitute detailed legal advice or acceptance of an appointment.

Referrer questions

Clarity before you refer.

Will you seek other work from our client?

No. For referred investigations and mediations, we undertake the agreed independent assignment, respect your existing client relationship and do not seek additional work from that referred client.

Can we remain the client’s legal advisers?

Yes. Your advisory relationship can continue alongside the independent appointment. We agree the roles, communication and reporting arrangements before the assignment begins.

Who instructs you and who pays the fees?

The instructing party, payment responsibility and terms of engagement are established before acceptance. We do not assume that the referring firm will be responsible for fees simply because it made the introduction.

Who will carry out the work?

The practitioner is confirmed for each assignment after considering suitability, potential conflicts and availability. Melissa Wynne is an MII Approved Mediator. The lead and arrangements for an investigation are confirmed before appointment.

Will you communicate directly with the client or participants?

Direct communication may be necessary to carry out the independent process. We agree appropriate points of contact and the arrangements for updates at the outset, with confidentiality and independence respected.

Can we discuss a matter before sending the file?

Yes. Start with a brief outline and any relevant dates. We will explain what information is needed for suitability and conflict checks and agree an appropriate way to receive further material.

Can you guarantee a particular finding or resolution?

No. An investigator reaches findings based on the evidence and the agreed remit. Mediation depends on voluntary participation and does not guarantee agreement. Neither service is undertaken to deliver a predetermined result.

Will we receive the details of mediation discussions?

Not automatically. Reporting and information sharing follow the mediation arrangements and applicable requirements. An agreement or appropriate closure information may be shared where permitted, but referral does not give access to private discussions.

How are timing and fees agreed?

Timing and fees depend on the nature and scope of the assignment, the people involved and availability. We discuss these before work is accepted. Tell us about urgent dates at the initial enquiry; making an enquiry does not change existing deadlines.

Do you accept referrals across Ireland?

Yes. We consider enquiries from across Ireland. Location, practical arrangements and availability are discussed when assessing the proposed assignment.

Discuss a referral

Start with the outline.
We’ll discuss the next step.

Use the form below to introduce the proposed assignment. We will consider suitability and explain what is needed before any appointment is agreed.

  • Your name and firmInclude your firm’s name in the message field.
  • The service requiredInvestigation, mediation, or an initial discussion about suitability.
  • A brief outline and relevant datesPlease hold detailed case papers and sensitive third-party information until an appropriate transfer method has been agreed.

Not sure where to start?
Talk to us in confidence.