Mediation is not new. In fact, its roots are believe to go back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia. Yet there is still some resistance to it in certain spheres of the legal profession, and amongst the parties to a dispute. Some of this resistance comes from common beliefs that it is not appropriate in…
Spring is here and it’s that time of year when home owners want to change things around the house and consider getting some renovations carried out. A contractor is located, some plans are drawn up and things get started; unfortunately, sometimes what starts out as a positive project turns into a potential nightmare for both…
There have been many articles written about the benefits of resolving disputes through mediation rather than litigation. Despite this, there is still a great deal of confusion about what a mediation looks like and whether it will assist parties to resolve their dispute. In family law disputes, there is often also mistrust between parties that…
When I think back to the time I was just starting to practice as a trial lawyer, about 42 years ago and list the tools available back then to settle files before proceeding to trials, the list is pretty short. Actually there was no list. Back then the options for settlement of litigious matters heading…
Many things can happen along the way to a trial. Often a settlement is one of them. As a trial lawyer I recognize that having your day in court comes at a very high price. Lawyers’ fees are only part of that price. There is delay – civil cases take years to get to trial.…
It’s a late Sunday night. Everyone has retired for the night in preparation for another long work week. Well, almost everyone. Your downstairs noisy neighbour has decided to have a Sunday night dance party in his living room. The sound of the bass reverberates through the walls and right into your bedroom. It’s a party […]
