Anthony Lo Surdo S.C. | International Mediation Institute

I have conducted over 450 complex, multi-party mediations over the last decade, been appointed arbitrator in over 100 domestic and international arbitrations and I am regularly appointed as an expert determiner.

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CMEQP - Experience Qualification Path (Historic)

Organization: 8 Wentworth Chambers, SydneyLonsdale Chambers, MelbourneWilliam Forster Chambers, DarwinOuter Temple Chambers, London, DubaiArbitra, London and Washington DCPosition: Barrister Advanced Mediator Arbitrator

12/180 Phillip Street
Sydney NSW, Australia

Australia, Switzerland, United Kingdom

English

Contract, Corporate, Franchise, Property, Shareholders, Sport

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Open to Work

Mediating In-House

Evaluative

Facilitative

Transformative

Emerging

Very Experienced

Client Feedback Digest

Overview

I was provided with 13 feedback forms from 1 x Barrister and 12 x Solicitors who had represented parties for whom Mr Lo Surdo acted as Mediator, mostly in early to mid-2022. Two Solicitors offered comments relating to ‘several’ mediations Mr Lo Surdo had conducted (without mentioning the specific number of mediations they were referring to). The feedback demonstrated Mr Lo Surdo had provided mediation services for a range of complex disputes (relating to commercial, family, negligence, property and Supreme Court matters). It is evident that Mr Lo Surdo is highly regarded in the legal industry for his strong facilitation and communication skills and his extensive knowledge and experience. Every Reviewer stated they would recommended his services to others based on their assessment of Mr Lo Surdo’s professional character, the fair, effective and efficient process he adopts and the successful outcomes he had been able to achieve. The Reviewers appreciated Mr Lo Surdo’s ability to assist parties to broaden their perspectives before leading them to narrow their focus on the real issues within the dispute and adopt a ‘negotiation mindset’. A number of Reviewers commented on Mr Lo Surdo’s successful style which was able to maintain the negotiation momentum via robust and relevant discussions and stimulate problem solving and option generation. While the majority of Reviewers believed Mr Lo Surdo was able to assist the parties to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of their cases without imposing his judgement, three of the Reviewers expressed their style preference for Mr Lo Surdo to be more forceful in the manner by which he expressed his views and challenged parties, particularly in relation to the weak points of their argument. Overall, Mr Lo Surdo was described as highly professional, detailed and well prepared, empathetic, calm and well measured.

Current Position & Background

Barrister (Senior Counsel/Kings Counsel) in practice at the Australian Bar, Mediator and Arbitrator practising from Chambers in Sydney and Melbourne and through Arbitra International, I am known in London, Washington DC, Abu Dhabi and internationally. I am a predominantly commercial Silk specialising in all forms of alternative dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration and expert determination.

I have been named in Doyles Guide to the Australian Legal Profession in 2011 and 2015-2020 as one of Australia’s leading insolvency and reconstruction Silks. I have also been named by that publication as a leading mediator in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and as a leading arbitration Silk in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. I have also been recommended by Lexology in both its Global Reports and Australia and New Zealand Reports in the category of “sports” primarily for my work as mediator and arbitrator.

Practice Areas

* Complex multi-party commercial, insurance, building and construction, property and shareholder disputes * Banking * Contract * Partnership * Corporations * Joint Ventures * Professional Indemnity * Succession * Planning * Shareholder disputes * Medical Negligence *Personal injuries *Sports

Mediation Style

In preparation for a mediation, I will read thoroughly all documents that are provided to me to determine the real issues in dispute and the manner in which a settlement may best be achieved or structured having regard to the competing commercial, personal, reputational, emotional and other interests.

It is my strong preference for the parties to attend a preliminary conference at which an assessment can be made regarding the parameters of the dispute, delineating the issues that will be addressed at the mediation and discussing the best manner of preparing for mediation.

If a preliminary conference is not held then I will usually propose extensive written directions which address the preparation of the matter for mediation including the collation of an agreed mediation book and the exchange of a mediation summary of parties’ interests which outlines succinctly the facts, interests and issues for which each party contends. I strongly urge the parties in preparing for a mediation to give careful consideration to the best and worst alternatives to a negotiated outcome.

I adapt my style of mediation to meet the complexities or otherwise of the issues and the needs and expectations of the parties. My preferred style is facilitative although many of the matters in which I am engaged require an evaluative element. I take a practical and pragmatic approach to the process.

I have a calm, respectful and empathetic disposition whilst also rigorously testing lawyers and clients in private session to arrive at a realistic appraisal of prospects and a range of settlement parameters. Further information concerning my mediation style and approach to mediation can be found at my ADR website http://www.silkmediator.com.au.

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