Annual Report 2015/2016

  • August 16, 2016

Submitted by Section Chair, Philip Dougan

Summary of Meetings

Number of Meetings Held: 7

September 22 2015
Guest Speaker: Kari Boyle and Wayne Plenert
Meeting Title/Topic: What is Med/Arb and How will it work for my clients?
Synopsis: review of mediation - arbitration; strengths and weaknesses; best situations for its use; tips on best practises

November 17 2015
Guest Speaker: Kari Boyle and Jane Morley QC
Meeting Title/Topic: BC’s Family Justice Innovation Lab – an Evolving Story
Synopsis: overview of new and proposed ADR programs in the family law context

February 16, 2016
Guest Speaker: Camille Karlicki and Erin Berger
Meeting Title/Topic: Law Society complaints against Mediators and Arbitrators – avoiding problems
Synopsis: proactive practices for practitioners to avoid being the subject of Law Society complaints

March 15, 2016
Guest Speaker: Judge Marion Buller, Provincial Court of BC
Meeting Title/Topic: First Nations Court - Local Court Innovation
Synopsis: the Court and First Nations working together to learn from one another and resolve legal problems

March 8, 2016
Guest Speaker: Jane Morley, Julia Menard and Jean Greatbatch
Meeting Title/Topic: ADR in the workplace - dealing with workplace toxicity and bullyin
Synopsis: bringing ADR to the work place - to pre-empt problems at work becoming legal proceedings

April 19, 2016
Guest Speaker: Gabe Somjen, Senior Counsel, Borden Ladner Gervais, mediator, arbitrator
Yuki Matsuno, Mediator, facilitator and lawyer
Meeting Title/Topic: ‘Sorry I am not being rational’ The Role of Apology and Emotions in Mediation and Arbitration
Synopsis: understanding the role of emotions in legal settings; and using apology to deescalate emotional turmoil

May 17, 2016
Guest Speaker: Shannon Salter
Meeting Title/Topic: Civil Resolution Tribunal
Synopsis: what is the CRT? What does it do? how will it help? an overview of the new CRT as part of the legal system

 

Comments and Observations of the Chair

great year again; next year will be interesting to see how the wind up of the Court mediation roster and the instigation of the CRT re-envisions the use of ADR in BC.