Independent mediation & arbitration · Cape Town | Johannesburg | KwaZulu-Natal
Conflict does not have to become a battle.
Independent mediation for families, businesses and organisations across South Africa. We help people find practical ways forward without the cost, delay and strain of court.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute quiz →- Accredited ADR Mediator
- Confidential process
- Independent & impartial
- Clear fee guidance
You might be thinking
"My marriage is ending and I don't know where to start."
"We can't agree about arrangements for the children."
"My business partner and I are at an impasse."
"There's serious conflict at work."
"I want to avoid court if there's a better way."
"Is mediation even confidential?"
If any of this sounds familiar, mediation may help. The first conversation costs nothing but a little time.
How mediation helps
A calmer, more structured way through
Mediation gives you and the other party a confidential space to be heard, understand the real issues, and work towards an agreement you both have a hand in shaping, with an independent professional guiding the process from start to finish.
Conflict is stressful.
Court proceedings can be slow, expensive, and hard on relationships.
Mediation offers a structured, confidential alternative.
An independent mediator helps both parties communicate and explore solutions.
The mediator does not choose sides — each party is heard equally.
Together, you shape an agreement you both understand and accept.
You may disagree about the problem.
You can still work towards a better way forward.
Karen does not choose sides.
She helps the parties communicate, understand their options, and work towards agreements that hold up in the real world, while keeping the wider impact on children, family, finances and working relationships firmly in view throughout.
You may disagree about the problem. You can still work towards a better way forward.
Book an introductory conversation with KarenAreas of practice
Wherever the dispute sits, there's a structured way through it
Distinct, dedicated processes for the kind of dispute you're facing.
Family & Divorce
A calmer, structured way to work through separation, parenting arrangements and the practical realities of untangling a shared life.
Explore family & divorce mediation →Commercial
Resolve shareholder, partnership and contractual disputes with confidentiality, speed and commercial common sense. Protect relationships that still matter.
Explore commercial mediation →Workplace
Restore working relationships and address conflict before it becomes a formal grievance, a resignation, or a lasting cost to your team.
Explore workplace mediation →Maintenance
Work through child and spousal maintenance disagreements (including changes in circumstances) without an escalating dispute.
Explore maintenance mediation →Tax & Financial
Independent mediation to help parties work through financial and tax-related disagreements.
Explore tax & financial mediation →School & Learner Support
Independent conflict-resolution support for learners, parents and schools navigating friendship breakdowns, exclusion or difficult communication.
Explore school & learner support →Learners, parents & schools
Support for a better school journey
School conflict can affect far more than one relationship. Karen provides independent mediation and conflict-resolution support to help young people work through difficult interactions, improve communication and find constructive ways forward.
Support may be useful for recurring learner conflict, friendship breakdowns, exclusion, difficult communication, appropriate bullying-related matters, parent-school communication or restoring relationships after conflict.
Explore School Journey SupportWhat will happen
A clear, predictable process
- 01
Contact
You reach out by form, phone or booking link. No detailed case information is needed at this stage.
- 02
Initial discussion
A short, confidential conversation to understand your situation and whether mediation is likely to help.
- 03
Conflict check
Karen confirms she can act independently for everyone involved before any matter is accepted.
- 04
Preparation
You receive clear guidance on what to expect and what, if anything, to prepare beforehand.
- 05
Mediation
Structured, confidential sessions (in person or online), paced to the issues that matter to you.
- 06
Agreement & next steps
Where agreement is reached, you’re guided on formalising it, often alongside your own attorney.
Next step
A structured way through this may be closer than it feels.
Request a Confidential Discussion: no obligation, no pressure, just a clear conversation about your options.
Why people work with Karen
Independent. Impartial. Focused on a workable outcome.
Karen is there to help create a fair, structured process in which each party can be heard. She doesn't take sides. Her focus throughout is on a sustainable, practical resolution: one that holds up for the people involved, including the children, colleagues, and businesses affected by the outcome.
More about Karen →- Qualified & accreditedTrained and accredited in mediation practice, with ongoing professional development.
- ExperiencedA track record across family, commercial and workplace disputes.
- Confidential by designA private process, from the first enquiry to the final agreement.
- Transparent on feesClear fee guidance before you commit to anything.
In their words
What it's like to work through this with Karen
“Dividing a complex family estate is incredibly stressful, but Karen guided us with immense patience and complete objectivity. Her calm, unbiased approach helped us navigate highly sensitive conversations, protecting our family relationships while delivering a practical agreement that everyone was truly content with.”
“Faster, cheaper and far less damaging than the litigation route our attorneys had budgeted for. Our business relationship survived it.”
“Independent, structured, and genuinely fair to both sides. That mattered to everyone in the room.”
Testimonials are shared with permission. Details are generalised to protect client confidentiality (see our reviews & testimonials policy).
Ready when you are
Request a Confidential Discussion.
A short, no-obligation conversation to understand your situation and whether mediation is the right fit.