Commercial Mediation, Court Procedure and Litigation, Deal Mediation, Enforcement, Evaluative Mediation, Judges as mediators, Jurisdiction, Mediation Reforms (Legislation, etc.), Practical Challenges for Mediators, Uncategorized, War Stories

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In what I hope readers of this blog will consider a deft segue, I want to shift from the successful judicial mediation that I highlighted last month to one that didn’t proceed quite so smoothly. Deals negotiated in mediation tend to hold or, at least, that’s been the conventional wisdom. The theory is that because…

'Money-only' Cases, Commercial Mediation, Court Procedure and Litigation, Evaluative Mediation, Mediation Outcomes, Settlement Agreements, Success in mediation

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A recently reported decision of the Ontario Superior Court highlights the efficacy of the mediation process in resolving complex disputes particularly in circumstances where uncertainty of outcome reigns supreme.  In Johnston v. The Shelia Morrison Schools, 2013 ONSC 1528 Justice Perell was asked to approve a settlement in an Action which had been certified under…

Commercial Mediation, Cross-cultural, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Impasse, International Mediation, mediation as a career, mediation models, Public Policy, Uncategorized, War Stories

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Mediator is New Premier in Ontario Following my rant last month about the need for more mediators in public policy-making, the Liberal Party of Ontario has chosen a former mediator, Kathleen Wynne, as their new leader and, consequently, as the first woman Premier of Ontario. I had no idea this Blog had so much influence….

Commercial Mediation, Conventional wisdom, Creativity, Developing the Field, Efficiency, Future of mediation, Governments/Public Sector, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Negotiation, Public Policy, Settlement Agreements, Success in mediation, Understanding mediation

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A potpourri of mediation-related reflections as the holiday break fades from memory. Hockey Mediation – With last Saturday’s puck drops in 13 cities the National Hockey League has commenced its lockout-shortened season. Full arenas around the league confirm the strength of the game’s drawing power if not the forgive-and-forget sentiments of long-suffering fans. Readers of this…

Commercial Mediation, Developing the Field, Governments/Public Sector, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Impasse, Legal Issues, Mediation Schemes (In Courts, etc.), Policy, Public Policy, Sport

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Two stories currently making headlines in Canada provide the occasion to harken back to previous posts on this blog. Mediation Backlog – Ontario No-Fault Auto Insurance Disputes  In March of this year I blogged about the consequences of under-resourcing mandatory mediation programs. The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) had (and still has) a huge…

Commercial Mediation, Mediation Practice, Practical Challenges for Mediators

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I recently had three mediations in a row that failed to reach settlement. After a couple of days contemplating running away with the circus and other lateral career moves, I started focussing on what I might have done differently and what might yet be done to advance resolution. Counsel and parties look for perseverance in…

'Money-only' Cases, Clients, Commercial Mediation, Creativity, mediation models, Mediators’ Conduct, Understanding mediation

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Recently, during a lull in the action in a tort mediation, I was drawn aside by an insurance representative I see frequently. He had concerns about my “style” as a mediator. “Every mediation it’s the same thing”, he said. “It’s almost like everyone knows where the case is going to settle in advance so why…

'Money-only' Cases, ADR, Commercial Mediation, Creativity, Deal Mediation, Future of mediation, Governments/Public Sector, Litigation, Mediation Practice, Success in mediation

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I’ve been working in this field for more than 20 years and one thing that I’ve observed with genuine curiosity over that time is the sniping from various quarters that what I (and others with practices similar to mine) do each day falls short of “The Promise of Mediation”. As readers of this Blog will…

'Money-only' Cases, Combined Clauses, Commercial Mediation, Deal Mediation, Legal Issues, War Stories

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“Thank God for the last minute; otherwise nothing would ever happen.” This old saying rolls through my mind as I sit to type this on my iPad in the departures lounge at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport located on the island just opposite the heart of this great city. My blog post is due at midnight…