Nicola Hughes

Nicola’s career to date has been in Dispute Resolution including negotiation, mediation, facilitated settlement discussions, adjudication, and litigation. She has worked resolving contractual legal liability, consumer law, employment, statutory and regulatory duties. Nicola is currently reviewing complaints in the telecommunications and finance company space.

Nicola has a law degree and practicing certificate as well as being an Associate of the Arbitrators & Mediators Institute of New Zealand. She is passionate about being a lifelong learner and has engaged in continuous education throughout her career – which has led to the collection of qualifications in insurance and board management.

People will not listen if they have not first been listened to. What she has learnt is that people in the right setting, given the right tools, want disputes to be resolved.

In addition to having a solid understanding of the ‘law’, she has the practical qualifications and skills to solve problems. Bringing a logical and unbiased approach, coupled with excellent critical thinking skills, Nicola excels at interpreting the 'big picture' and the crucial aspects of complex situations. She has strong interpersonal intelligence, effective communication, and commitment to ethical decision-making which fosters diverse perspectives and the necessary variety of options required for a successful outcome in mediation.

Nicola has experience in dealing with disputes involving multiple parties who have differing roles, experience, and knowledge in both the subject-matter of the dispute and just how a conflict can be solved. Her skills include the ability to break down issues around 'quantum' and the difference of opinions that often arise in this space.

Over her career Nicola has had an opportunity to be involved in some large events, such as leaky building claims, the collapse of finance companies and even earthquakes.  These were large scale events that impacted many people, and she was able to apply her skills to help parties create and own solutions to lessen the burden that comes with loss.

On a more personal level Nicola has an Autistic son who has helped teach her communication skills and the power of patience.