Silas was one of the first solicitors in the UK to be trained as a mediator, receiving accreditation in July 1991.

He has successfully acted as a mediator in litigious cases involving all areas of the law. Recent such cases include:

• Boundary dispute between farmers
•  Solicitors' professional negligence dispute following fatal accident claim
• Shareholder dispute between Directors
• Dispute between partners as to financial liability upon dissolution of partnership
• Personal injury claim with three defendants disputed as to both liability and quantum
• Personal injury claim involving complex issues in respect of future loss of earnings claim
• Breach of contract claim in respect of fitted kitchen
• Dispute as to repairing covenant in lease
• Claim in respect of surveyor’s negligence
• Major Personal Injury case involving difference of opinion of £500,000 as to value of future loss of earnings claim
• Probate dispute as to entitlement arising under Inheritance (provision for family and dependants) Act 1975

In addition to his general mediation work Silas has become very well known as a mediator of significant shipping disputes in London.

Silas has mediated over 70 cases, including many complex casualty, contract and insurance cases, some involving disputes over $50m.  His settlement rate has been in excess of 90%.

Other shipping related cases have involved such matters as wreck removal, dry dock accidents and charterparty liabilities as to seaworthiness.  Silas has a particular involvement with the fishing industry and has mediated cases around the country in respect of such issues as repair disputes, fishing ground disputes and accident claims.

Silas has a broad practice involving many areas of commercial litigation.  His main specialism is in marine casualty work and general marine related litigation, where he has an extensive client base of owners and insurers both in the UK and overseas.  He has always had a particular involvement in all aspects of the fishing industry and acts for specialist insurers in respect of salvage, collision and groundings etc as well as total loss investigations.

Silas is an enthusiastic mediator who invests considerable energy into each mediation.  At the same time he adopts a conciliatory approach, seeking to establish a genuine rapport with the parties and an understanding of their real wants and needs.

Feedback comments from parties to his mediations have included:

• “Very professional”
• “Direct, determined, energetic, careful”
• “Down to earth, accessible, effective”
• “Steady and controlled; shows a genuine wish to achieve settlement”

He is listed as a “Notable Practitioner” for his work as a mediator by Chambers Directory, where his strengths are identified as:

A “down to earth approach”, coupled with “sage guidance” and a “hard working attitude which means he is happy to continue his involvement with parties beyond the current mediation if necessary”.

Recent references include:

"An astute maritime lawyer, he's a realist but not afraid to knock heads together".

A litigator with a fearsome reputation - "as soon as his name is dropped into the hat, people shudder a bit"

"A hands on lawyer able to dovetail with the needs of his clients".

Educated at Bedford Modern School and graduated in Law from Hull University in 1974. He undertook articles in Hull which included (by special dispensation from the Law Society) a six week trip to the White Sea on board a deep water trawler. Admitted as a solicitor in 1977, Silas was instrumental in the development of is firm's Admiralty and Shipping department from its then complement of 2 fee earners to its present size of 10, one of the biggest shipping practices outside London. He became head of the department in 1990 and Joint Senior Partner in 2000.

Silas has a broad practice involving many areas of commercial litigation. His main specialism is in marine casualty work and general marine related litigation, where he has a broad client base of owners and insurers both in the UK and overseas. He has always had a particular involvement in all aspects of the fishing industry and acts for specialist insurers in respect of salvage, collision and groundings etc as well as total loss investigations. A significant proportion of his workload has always been in respect of personal injury claims.

Significant reported cases include:

"The Harcourt" [1980] 2 Lloyds Reports 589 – relating to the criminal liability of a ship's master whilst off watch.

"The Ignition" – Jenkins v Godwin [1983] 1 Lloyds Reports 382 – relating to the interpretation of an "offer" of pilotage.

“The Vegaland” Ravenscroft v Rederi AB Transatlantic [1991] 3All ER73, [1992] 2All ER470 – relating to proximity issues in claim for nervous shock following shipboard accident.

"The Progress" Gray v. Stead [1999] 2 Lloyds Reports 559 – relating to the liability of a fishing vessel owner to provide self inflating lifejackets.

Clark v. Perks and others [2001] 2 Lloyds Reports 431 – relating to whether a jack-up rig is a "ship" for statutory purposes.  The Court of Appeal decision gave an entitlement to offshore workers to recover over £100M in overpaid tax.

INTERESTS

In his spare time Silas is a keen fisherman, gardener, and a devoted supporter of Hull City AFC.

Print Silas Taylor's CV ...

Printer friendly CV