Mediation can help you resolve your dispute. do you frequently ask yourself some of these questions? 

how long does it take? 

Most mediation sessions last about three hours but may take longer if progress is being made and the parties agree.
 

how do I prepare for the mediation? 

Your mediator can help you lay out your issues in a simple yet factual format. This is then shared with the other party and the mediator prior to the mediation. This process helps all individuals involved in the mediation focus on the real issues behind the dispute.
 

how much does it cost and who pays? 

This depends on the type of situation. If it is a court ordered “mandatory” mediation the fee is set at $600 for a three-hour session. However private mediations that are not court ordered are typically more and can range from $850 - $1500 or more for a full day. Room rentals are on top of that as is HST. All fees are usually split evenly between the parties unless a special agreement is made. 

 

why would I use a mediator?  

Mediation can bring closure to stressful situations in a controlled and safe process. This can help you sleep better and get on with your life knowing that you have put behind you the issues that were causing such stress.
 

how do I choose a mediator? 

Just like choosing a doctor or dentist or plumber. It’s important to look at their experience, training and credentials but it really comes down to who you–and the other party–feel most comfortable with. Remember, the mediator is a neutral facilitator who is chosen by both parties in the dispute. The mediator controls the process to help the parties resolve their issues.
 

what sorts of issues can be mediated? 

Contract disputes, wrongful dismissal, estate issues and property disputes are typical issues brought to mediation but any substantive issue that “keeps you up at night” is worth a discussion to see if it could be mediated. At the end of the day, most disputes do come down to money. Ask your mediator if he/she thinks your issue could benefit from mediation. 

 


Christopher Baines, C. MED of C.A. Baines Mediation, is a Chartered Mediator recognized by Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC), (ADRIO). For the past 25 years, he has been in practice as a roster mediator with the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program (OMMP) and has worked with both represented and unrepresented parties from many diverse backgrounds.

He is comfortable with a wide range of settings and cases and has successfully mediated disputes ranging from wrongful dismissal and family estate issues to million dollar contracts. Christopher has worked with over 200 different law firms in Ontario as well as coached mediator students from York at Small Claims Court for 3 years. He has also spent over 10 years as a volunteer mediator in the Jane/Finch community. Most recently, Christopher has spent the last two years with the International Joint Commission seeking common ground on Great Lakes water level issues.

If you are ready to explore and resolve conflicting issues in a supportive and confidential environment, we offer mediation to law firms as well as parties under dispute.

To book a complimentary appointment to discuss your mediation needs and to see how I can best assist you, we can be reached at (416) 932-1334 or by filling out the email form. 

 

professional associations

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario

  • Ontario Bar Association – Estates and Trusts Section

  • Past Director, Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview

  • Canadian Society for Training and Development

experience

  • OMMP roster mediator since 1996

  • Mediator/coach for York University’s graduate ADR program

  • Trainer of conflict resolution skills since 2001

  • Over 500 mediations since 1997