Arbitration

In Ontario, arbitration is often used for things like commercial / contractual disputes, labour and spousal disputes.

If Mediation does not solve a dispute, Resolv’d also offers an out of court solution for you. Our trained arbitrators can assist. Arbitration is used in many types of disputes, as an alternative to the lengthy court system. Professional athletes use it all the time to resolve disputes over their salaries.

Arbitration vs. Court

Arbitration is preferred over court because you can get to arbitration far more quickly than you can get before a trial judge. It is also more private, less formal and more flexible in creating a process for solving a particular problem. You can participate in arbitration with or without your lawyer but it is often better to have a lawyer, depending on the nature of your dispute. Our arbitrators can explain the pros and cons of arbitration for you if you wish to consider it.

Our Certified Arbitrators

Tom Dart

Tom was called to the bar in 1976. In the early stages of his career, he practiced as a criminal lawyer, a civil litigation lawyer and a family law lawyer. He now practices only in the area of family law and alternative dispute resolution. Tom is a Certified Specialist in Mediation (FDR Med) and Arbitration (FDR Arb). Tom has appeared at all levels of Court in Ontario from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to the Ontario Court of Appeal. He has conducted many trials and many successful negotiations.

Morris Cooper

Morris has been a civil and commercial litigator since his call to the bar in 1976, with a wide-ranging practice as lead counsel in every court, including The Supreme Court of Canada. Morris has been a commercial arbitrator since the late 1980s and an Adjudicator for the federal government under The Canada Labour Code since the 1990s. He is a strong advocate in favour of arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution tool.

The Honourable Lydia Olah

Lydia has had a distinguished legal career spanning over 40 years. For 20 of those years, she had a successful litigation practice appearing in District and Provincial Courts and the Court of Appeal. Her major focus in litigation was family law. Subsequently, for a further 20 years, as a Judge of the Superior Court ( Family branch) chambered in Barrie, she became highly skilled at resolving issues at conferences and pre-trials. During her entire career, she dedicated herself to the out-of-court resolution of family law disputes and brings a wealth of experience to this task.

Maureen Smith

Maureen Smith, Q. Mediator, Q. Arbitrator, is an accredited Mediator & Arbitrator, Consultant and Certified Coach. As a multi-time award winning serial entrepreneur, she brings close to 40 years extensive work-related experience, business knowledge, estate and family experience to the practice of mediation, arbitration and artistry in alternative dispute resolution and has been practicing for close to 15 years. She is an award winning mediator in family & civil mediation with both Corporate Vision, Global Business Awards and Corporate Live Wire Canada and practices in the areas of Family, Estate and Civil Mediation/ Arbitration.

The Honourable George Valin

The Honourable George Valin was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 1990. He retired in 2019 following 28 years of judicial service during which he presided over criminal and civil, jury and non-jury trials in all eight judicial regions of the province. Since his retirement, George has served as a mediator and arbitrator and, on one occasion, acted as integrity commissioner in the investigation of a complaint against a member of a municipal council and a member of a local board. He looks forward to assisting parties to reach reasonable, fair, and cost-effective solutions to their disputes.

We work hard to redefine the dispute resolution process and transform the way people perceive and approach conflicts

Let us know how we can help.

If you would like to consider either mediation, mediation/arbitration or arbitration alone for yourself or your clients please contact Hannah Lankin, our Mediation Arbitration Co-Ordinator at info@resolvd.ca or by telephone at 705-739-4090. Hannah can make an appointment for you with one of our specially trained Mediators / Arbitrators who will answer any questions you might have about any of the above.