Former Bechtel GC launches arbitration service in UK

US dispute resolution group JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services) is launching its first London operations with the arrival of the former general counsel of engineering giant Bechtel.

Katherine Gurun, who was Bechtel’s group general counsel from 2001 to May 2006, will be based in London with the aim of hearing cases across Europe and into the Far East.

Gurun told The Lawyer: “I think Europe is ripe for more mediation and arbitration services.”

Gurun said she was looking forward to working in the UK: “During my entire career, when there was trouble I spent a good deal of time trying to ensure that we settled through negotiation, and if not, through mediation and arbitration. The great thing about mediation is that it encourages the parties who want to work together to do that.”

JAMS currently has an alliance with European alternative dispute resolution organisations including London-based CEDR (the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution).