Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a term used to describe a basket of procedures outside the traditional litigation process, usually entered into voluntarily by parties to a dispute in an attempt to resolve it. These procedures range from unassisted negotiation at one end of the spectrum to binding arbitration at the other. Arbitration and Mediation are the most common types.

Arbitration involves adjudication by a third-party neutral. While it is possible to structure arbitration to be non-binding, most arbitration is designed to be binding. Arbitration will in most instances arise by agreement of the parties, either arising out of a pre-existing agreement or based on the specific terms of an arbitration agreement entered into after the dispute has arisen. The single most important distinction therefore, is that the decision of the arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed, will be binding, and the decision may be entered on the court record.

The mediator does not make a decision, but rather works with the parties to assist them in finding a solution to their dispute that is satisfactory to them. An arbitrator, also a third-party neutral, makes a decision based on the arbitration agreement and the evidence presented in the arbitration proceedings, and the decision, unless otherwise agreed, is binding on the parties.

No. For ADR to be successful, the parties must genuinely wish to achieve a settlement. There are cases in which this will not be the desire of one or more of the parties. Examples are: cases where the parties wish to establish a precedent; where a point of law exists upon which the parties wish to have a formal judicial ruling; where a court order is required to enforce a judgment; where evidentiary processes are required to protect the rights of a party; or where extraordinary court relief is sought, such as a declaratory judgment.

Mediation is the most frequently used form of ADR, though it may be used in conjunction with other forms of ADR.

Resolution of a dispute requires careful preparation whether the process used is ADR or litigation. Careful analysis of the dispute involves fact and document gathering and involvement of those who are able to provide evidence. Analysis of the facts and the law are necessary to permit an assessment of risk and of the value of a claim or level of exposure to a claim. Contemporaneous with these assessments, consideration should be given to the use of ADR.

If for any reason ADR is not initially thought to be appropriate, it should nevertheless be considered as circumstances develop and as procedural milestones in litigation are passed – such as at the close of pleadings; production of documents; completion of discoveries; setting down for trial; and at the time of witness preparation for trial. The success rates from using ADR are such that the presumption ought to be that ADR should be used, and justification be sought as to why it is not being used.

The costs of an arbitration are in the discretion of the arbitrator who, in making an order for costs, may specify the persons who must pay and the amount to be paid.

All parties shall bear their own costs for mediation and share equally the fees of the mediator.

Payments can be made by cheque, credit/debit card (Visa or MasterCard), and e-transfers to rosters@adrbc.com. Should you have any inquiries about the e-transfer payment process, please contact your bank.

After reviewing a completed Request Form for Referral/Appointment, the Institute will:

• Send to each party simultaneously (or to counsel as directed) a list of member Chartered Mediators or Chartered Arbitrators knowledgeable in the area of dispute, together with a brief resumé of their experience and the appropriate arbitration or mediation rules.
• Ask the parties to make their selection from this list. Unless the dispute warrants a panel of three, the Institute recommends a single arbitrator as a more cost-efficient solution. In mediation, a single mediator or a co-mediator can be selected.
• When the parties return the list to the Institute, if the parties have not selected the same individual, the Institute will make the appointment from the names remaining on the list and advise the parties.

Request Form for Referral/Appointment (PDF)

Section 179 of the Strata Property Act (“the Act”) allows disputes between a strata corporation and an owner or owners to be resolved by arbitration rather than through the courts. Disputes between owners and other owners, between owners and other tenants, and between the strata corporation and tenants can also be resolved through arbitration. Note, however, that there are certain disputes respecting tenants – specifically those between a landlord and a tenant – that must be resolved by arbitration under the Residential Tenancy Act. For information on Residential Tenancy arbitrations, please contact the Residential Tenancy Office at 604-660-3456.

Arbitration under the Strata Property Act begins with one party giving the other party a Notice Beginning Arbitration (Form L) (or online form). This notice informs the other party of the nature of the dispute and proposes a method of appointing an arbitrator. The Notice Beginning Arbitration and the Notice Responding to Reply can propose appointment by the British Columbia Arbitration and Mediation Institute as the method of appointing the arbitrator. Complete the Notice Beginning Arbitration, fill in the blanks for the owner’s strata lot number and the number of the strata plan, attach the details of the dispute on a separate page or pages, and give the notice, along with the blank Notice of Reply (Form M) to the other party. The other party then has two weeks either to agree to have the arbitrator appointed by the Institute or to propose a different arbitrator or a different method of appointing an arbitrator.

If the other party is agreeable to having the Institute appoint the arbitrator, copies of the Notice Beginning Arbitration and the Notice of Reply must be provided to the Institute.

The procedures are sufficiently broad in concept that they may be structured, as the parties to the dispute wish, to range from unassisted negotiation at one end of the spectrum, to binding arbitration at the other. The most common non-adjudicative processes are negotiation and mediation, although there are others such as the executive mini trial, judicial mini trial and early neutral evaluation.

Yes, parties and their lawyers do negotiate in most cases. Indeed, some 90% to 95% of cases settle before trial using some form of negotiation. ADR claims negotiation as one of its procedures because increasingly agreements are structured to require parties to negotiate as a precondition to going to litigation. In those agreements, it is only after a good-faith attempt to negotiate a settlement has failed that litigation may proceed. Where negotiation is used at the outset of a dispute, it is frequently successful, and most frequently involves less cost than litigation.

Mediation is a process in which the parties agree to appoint a third-party neutral to assist them in attempting to reach a voluntary settlement. The neutral does not make a decision and the parties may terminate the process at any time. It is confidential and without prejudice. The parties are encouraged to seek independent legal advice, and where a voluntary settlement is achieved, it only becomes binding when the parties have concluded a settlement agreement.

An executive mini trial is not really a trial at all. It is rather a process which involves negotiation structured to involve senior executives who have no involvement with issues giving rise to the disagreement. Senior executives from each side listen to a summary of key elements of the dispute presented by each of the parties. These presentations may be made to the executives on their own, or by agreement of the parties, a third-party neutral may be present. The intent is that the parties use the presentations to try to conclude an agreement by focusing on the business issues. An involved neutral endeavours to assist in the process.

A judicial mini trial is a non binding, flexible ADR process, involving counsel for all of the parties to the litigation, who present arguments to the judge, in the presence of the clients. Neither the judge nor the counsel is gowned during the presentation. An agreed Statement of Facts should be prepared, if possible, together with copies of expert reports, medical reports and authorities attached. No evidence is adduced. Rather, arguments are presented based on agreed facts or facts essentially agreed upon. Counsel may refer to evidence from Examinations for Discovery. Counsel, by arrangement with the Trial Co-ordinator, make an appointment with the mini trial judge assigned to the timeframe for which the appointment is arranged, and the judge is then able to assess whether or not a mini trial is appropriate, and confirm the date for the mini trial, and the time to deliver briefs. Usually the mini trial takes no more than one or two days. The non binding opinion of the judge rendered at the conclusion of the mini trial is strictly confidential. The mini trial judge will not discuss the opinion given at the mini trial with anyone else on the bench. No costs are assessed at the mini trial. If the parties are unable to conclude a settlement, the case will proceed to trial in the normal manner.

Early neutral evaluation (ENE) is a process in which a person experienced in the subject matter of a litigated dispute, will convene a brief, non-binding meeting to hear the parties outline the key elements of their cases. The evaluator will identify the main issues and explore possibilities of settlement. In addition, the evaluator will assess the merits of each party’s case. If settlement is not achievable, the evaluator may assist the parties by indicating procedural recommendations, the intent of which is to streamline the litigation process.

Savings in cost and time are the dominant reasons, but there are other significant reasons, such as:

• preservation of business relationships;
• arrangements may be made quickly;
• process usually takes one day or less;
• simple and easy process;
• confidentiality;
• process non-binding;
• the outcome is within the control of the parties;
• high level of satisfaction.

Mediation is the most frequently used form of ADR, though it may be used in conjunction with other forms of ADR.

In some circumstances arbitration can be as expensive and time consuming as litigation. It need not be. The parties and their counsel have the means to avoid those consequences. If they specifically address issues such as production of documents and the conduct of discoveries, and deal with them by agreement, arbitration can be conducted in an expeditious and cost-saving manner.

Unquestionably, many lawyers are reluctant to consider negotiation, or any other ADR process, because they fear that to do so suggests a weakness in their case. To overcome that appearance, many corporations and law firms are adopting policies regarding the use of ADR in suitable cases, and becoming signatories of protocols such as the dispute resolution protocol of The Canadian Foundation for Dispute Resolution, or pledges such as the corporate policy statement of the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution, the effect of which is to actively and voluntarily consider the use of ADR in all suitable cases. The hurdle to resolution may be one of perception. The reality is that ADR (except for binding arbitration) is a non-binding process – one from which a party may walk at any time. Parties remain in control of the process, and the outcome.

Resolution of a dispute requires careful preparation whether the process used is ADR or litigation. Careful analysis of the dispute involves fact and document gathering and involvement of those who are able to provide evidence. Analysis of the facts and the law are necessary to permit an assessment of risk and of the value of a claim or level of exposure to a claim. Contemporaneous with these assessments, consideration should be given to the use of ADR. If for any reason, ADR is not initially thought to be appropriate, it should nevertheless be considered as circumstances develop and as procedural milestones in litigation are passed – such as at the close of pleadings; production of documents; completion of discoveries; setting down for trial; and at the time of witness preparation for trial. The success rates from using ADR are such that the presumption ought to be that ADR should be used, and justification be sought as to why it is not being used.