LITIGATION expert Sally Carmichael has rejoined Ellis Jones in Ringwood as a solicitor working in the dispute resolution department.

A former partner with the Ringwood law firm, she first joined Ellis Jones in 1988. She left nine years later, returning as a consultant from 2009 to 2012.

Sally specialises in property and company-based litigation, including disputes over property titles, negligence claims relating to property issues, issues arising from joint venture agreements and construction and planning disputes.

Sally, an accredited Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution mediator, said: “To me the law of property and construction is fascinating. However, in litigation there is only one winner and the loser pays for all, so the stakes are high,” said Sally, an accredited Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution mediator.

She added: “With the costs of High Court litigation rising, I advocate consideration of mediation, which is well suited to construction cases, in particular. It can take the risk out of litigation and produce a result that both sides can live with but first, the parties need clear advice on the strengths and weaknesses of their position.”

Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones’ Managing Partner, added: “Sally is one of the most experienced, and respected, property litigators on the local legal scene. We’re very pleased to welcome her back to the firm again.”