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Mastering Conflict Resolution & De-Escalation in Legal Practice
Dealing with difficult interactions: conflict resolution skills for lawyers.
119
Online
2.5 CPD Hours: Client Care & Professional Standards (eLearning)
On-Demand Webinar
About this course
Learn practical conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques tailored for legal professionals.
In the high-pressure world of legal practice, conflict is an everyday reality, whether with clients, opposing counsel, within teams, or in courtrooms. This practical and highly relevant on-demand CPD webinar equips solicitors, barristers, and other legal professionals in Ireland with the essential tools to navigate tense interactions and challenging behaviours with professionalism, control, and confidence.
Presented by international conflict prevention expert Thom McCaffery, the webinar draws from real-world experience and evidence-based techniques used in high-stress environments. The course focuses on the communication and behavioural strategies that legal professionals need to remain composed and authoritative when dealing with difficult situations.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how conflict develops in legal settings, learn practical frameworks for managing emotional responses - both their own and others’ - and acquire techniques to effectively de-escalate and resolve tensions. With a comprehensive supporting slide deck, this course promotes lasting learning beyond the webinar itself.
Why choose this course
This webinar offers targeted, practical training designed specifically for professionals in the legal sector
Tailored for legal professionals in adversarial and high-stress contexts
Practical tools for real-world client and colleague interactions
Self-paced on-demand format with comprehensive support slides
Course syllabus
Understanding Conflict in Legal Practice
- Common sources of conflict in legal settings
- The impact of conflict on client relations, case outcomes, and wellbeing
The Psychology of Conflict
- Emotional triggers and behavioural responses
- The role of stress, pressure, and power dynamics in communication
Core De-Escalation Techniques
- Verbal and non-verbal strategies to defuse tension
- Managing difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism
- Setting clear boundaries while remaining client-focused
Conflict Resolution Tools
- Practical models: LEAPS, HEAT, PEACE, OPEN PALMS, DEAL MODEL, READS MODEL
- Tailoring tone, phrasing, and body language to influence outcomes
- Knowing when and how to disengage effectively
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Recognise and assess sources of conflict in legal environments
- Apply proven communication strategies to defuse and manage tension
- Respond to challenging behaviours with professionalism and control
- Use reflective techniques to improve future interactions
- Maintain composure, credibility, and authority under pressure
eLearning CPD
This eLearning webinar qualifies for 2.5 hours CPD under the Client Care & Professional Standards category as per the Law Society of Ireland CPD Scheme. It offers a practical and engaging way to enhance your interpersonal and communication skills while fulfilling your CPD obligations.
Who should attend
Solicitors, Barristers, and Trainee Lawyers
Legal Executives, Paralegals, and Legal Secretaries
Mediators, Arbitrators, and Dispute Resolution Practitioners
Legal professionals in client-facing or contentious roles
Meet the speaker – Thom McCaffery
Founder, Personal Safety Partnership Ltd. - International Conflict Prevention and Management, Personal Safety, and the Use of Force Specialist
Thom is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the UK Prison Service, specialising in managing individuals with high-risk behaviours and complex needs. Throughout a distinguished...
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