Fair Practice: Restoring fairness, restoring trust

From apartheid-era lessons to international mediation tables, Advocate Veerash Srikison has built Fair Practice™ into a pioneering dispute resolution practice that blends law, psychology and wellness – and leads the battle for fairness across Africa and beyond.

In South Africa, the word fairness carries both history and weight. For Srikison, it is not a slogan or an ideal – it is a necessity. Born into a South African Indian family during apartheid, she grew up in a country where opportunities were rationed and voices like hers were deliberately silenced. Even after the dawn of democracy, the residue of unfairness lingered: in workplaces, schools and communities.

“It shaped my conviction that justice could not remain confined to courtrooms,” she reflects. “In too many cases, the law is satisfied, and the human heart is broken. I wanted to create a way of resolving disputes that honoured both.”

That conviction led to the founding of Fair Practice™ in 2014: a pioneering dispute resolution and mediation practice that blends law, psychology, negotiation and mental health support. Its mission: to deliver outcomes that are legally sound – and deeply restorative.

A different kind of practice

Unlike traditional law firms that measure success in victories and losses, Fair Practice™ measures success in restored relationships and renewed trust. “We believe mediation is not secondary but complementary to other forums. For us, there is nothing ‘alternative’ about fairness – it is central to justice,” says Srikison.

Fair Practice™ operates across corporate boardrooms, family homes and community spaces. In the corporate arena, it mediates workplace disputes, executive stand-offs and commercial negotiations – often preserving relationships that litigation would destroy. Beyond boardrooms, it brings mediation into everyday life: from inheritance disputes to neighbourhood tensions. Its Conflict Resolution Wellness division integrates counselling and trauma support, recognising that unresolved conflict damages not only agreements but people.

The practice also extends into communities. “At Fair Practice, we bring the benefits of mediation to people of every age, because fairness is a lifelong skill,” says Srikison. “By equipping young people with the language of fairness and supporting adults in handling disputes with dignity, we are shaping a culture where fairness is both taught and lived.”

The psychology of fairness

Central to Fair Practice™’s approach is psychology. “Most conflicts are not about money or contracts,” Srikison explains. “They are about deeper needs: respect, security, belonging.”

That belief informs both their services and their training. Fair Practice™ mediators are equipped to listen beyond what is said, to focus on what remains unspoken. They are trained to use a questioning style that unpacks deeper concerns, fears and priorities – ensuring disputes are resolved at their root. Through its training division, Fair Practice™ sends mediators out into the world with these skills, shaping a profession that is centred on people, not procedure.

Lessons from the world, grounded in Africa

Srikison’s reputation as a mediator has taken her from Johannesburg to Washington to Mumbai, resolving disputes across borders and cultures. These experiences have confirmed what she always suspected: conflict is universal, but the way it is expressed is cultural.

“What I’ve learnt is that while global best practices matter, they must be tailored to local realities,” she says. “In South Africa, our disputes are layered with history and inequality. Across Africa, conflict is often shaped by the legacies of colonisation or political transitions. A one-size-fits-all model imported from abroad will never work.”

She is equally clear that Africa has much to teach the world. Traditions of dialogue, consensus and ubuntu – the belief in shared humanity – are powerful foundations for mediation. South Africa’s own journey of truth and reconciliation, though imperfect, demonstrated that dialogue is possible even in the aftermath of deep injustice.

Leading the battle for fairness

So, what lies ahead? For Srikison, the way forward is clear. Section 34 of the South African Constitution guarantees every person the right to have disputes resolved not only in court, but in another independent and impartial forum. For her, this enshrines mediation as a cornerstone of access to justice – and a responsibility.

“There is always more that can – and must – be done,” she insists. “At Fair Practice™, we will continue to lead that battle: the fight for fairness. Every mediation we conduct is proof that resolution is never enough unless it restores humanity in the professional environment – and we are committed to carrying that standard forward.”

Read more about Fair Practice™ and Advocate Veerash Srikison in the upcoming edition of African Business Quarterly.