I am thrilled to share the news of my appointment as the Law Society of Upper Canada's new Complaints Resolution Commissioner. The Law Society issued a news release on December 13, 2013 announcing the appointment. I will serve a two year term, commencing April 1, 2014.

There is nothing more frustrating and deflating than proceeding through a mediation only to find at crunch time that a party that had proclaimed at the outset that they had authority to settle either has very limited authority or no real authority to bind that party (in other words, any decision that they make requires the input and approval of a superior).

Many clients are new to the mediation process and/or uncomfortable with the prospect of confrontation with the other side.

A conscientious and well-prepared mediator will spend time reading, reviewing and considering all the information you provide prior to the mediation date.

To make the most of a mediation opportunity, share information that helps the opposing side understand the strengths of your case.

Much of my work as a mediator involves mediating civil disputes in the midst of litigation.

Mediation has become a fixture in most justice systems in the democratic world. In Ontario, we have mandatory mediation in Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor.

As a mediator, I relish the opportunity to engage the parties in the options generation stage of a mediation process. It's the point in the mediation when the parties, having fully explored and uncovered their interests, get down to exploring potential solutions that satisfy those interests.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer for success in negotiation.

This new mediation video is one of the better ones I've seen on the mediation process. Produced by the British-based TCM Group, it depicts an internal workplace mediation between two senior members of a team.

Berkeley Events offers three unique venues to stage corporate events, parties and celebrations of all shapes and sizes. All three venues are located in the east end of downtown Toronto, offering amenities and a feel that are outside the box.

For those that have been following this issue through this blog (see: Should Judges Mediate?, Upcoming ADR Programs of Interest) and elsewhere, the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) has issued its long awaited report on judicial dispute resolution (JDR).

There's a fascinating social phenomenon taking place in a Toronto neighborhood not far from where I live.

I am proud to announce that I was recently awarded the professional designation of Chartered Mediator (C. Med) by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada. The C. Med designation is Canada's only official designation for practising mediators. In order to qualify for the designation, applicants must meet extensive training and experience requirements.

I'd like to bring to your attention two programs that will take place in Toronto the week of June 3, 2013. I apologize for the short notice.

Do offers made before a mediation help or hinder settlement?

On March 24, 2010 Warren K. Winkler, the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Ontario, delivered a speech to the

Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario, as part of its Distinguished Speakers Series, titled Some Reflections

On Judicial Mediation: Reality Or Fantasy?. I have reproduced the text of his speech here.

I often wonder how mediators are selected.

The OBA has started promotion for an upcoming dinner program that promises to be both informative and engaging.

The program will examine the impact that gender plays in negotiation and, in turn, at the mediation table. Delee Fromm will speak on the subject and the program will be moderated by ADR Section Executive Chair, Elizabeth Hyde, of Riverdale Mediation.