Aimée Girdwood

Aimée Girdwood is an accredited mediator, attorney and governance specialist with over 21 years of cross-border experience in South Africa and the United Kingdom. She is trained in commercial mediation through Conflict Dynamics and is certified by the International Mediation Institute (IMI) and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).

Corporate governance disputes typically arise from conflicts involving the board's powers and actions, or its failure to act, and can occur between the board and shareholders, among directors, or between the board and other stakeholders. The increasing importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in corporate decision-making is likely to lead to more disputes, particularly claims against directors by shareholders, including activist shareholders.

Aimée began her career as a commercial lawyer and has extensive experience working with complex matters involving financial issues, competing interests and sensitive discussions. Her work has since expanded to include governance, stakeholder engagement and dispute resolution. Her practice involves working closely with clients to develop strategies for effective resolution, taking into account the future implications of ESG factors and other relevant considerations. Understanding the factors that influence disputes, such as ESG considerations, is central to Aimée's approach, and her expertise helps clients navigate these complexities.

She brings a calm, impartial and structured approach to mediation, creating a respectful environment where parties can be heard and work towards practical, fair and sustainable outcomes. The nature of mediation as an independent, confidential process promotes fair settlement of disputes, with mediators playing a key role in facilitating discussions and managing the process. Mediation offers several advantages over traditional litigation, including reduced costs, faster resolution times, and greater flexibility in crafting solutions that meet the needs of all parties involved. Arbitration is also increasingly recognized as a viable method for resolving corporate governance disputes, providing advantages such as efficiency, confidentiality, and the ability to tailor proceedings to the specific needs of the parties involved.

Aimée is committed to supporting individuals in resolving disputes constructively and with dignity, particularly where ongoing relationships and financial well-being are important. Engaging various stakeholders, including clients, can contribute to the success of dispute resolution processes, and Aimée's mediation practice is focused on achieving effective resolution and positive outcomes for all parties. The success of mediation and arbitration in resolving disputes is enhanced by effective practice, well-developed strategies, and the role of skilled mediators in achieving favorable outcomes.