Sullivan Mediations
1 King Street West, Suite 1700 L8P 1A4 Hamilton, ON, Canada

Congratulations to Joseph Sullivan, Sullivan Mediations, member of ADR Institute of Ontario on receiving his new Qualified Arbitrator designation! #ADR #arbitrator #arbitration @ADROntario

Arbitration- An Option for Civil Trial Delays With the ongoing delays in Ontario’s civil courts due to Covid-19 , private arbitration is a viable option to get a speedy decision . Arbitration works especially well where the parties can narrow the litigation issues to a few disputes . When I was a Bencher of the Law Society , I sat on Law Society discipline hearings and though this was a public process , the mechanics are remarkably similar to private arbitration. In th...e private cases , the parties can select their arbitrator unlike at public tribunals . Typically the parties narrow the issues and create an Agreed Statement of Facts [ ASF ] and an Agreed Book of Exhibits . These private arbitrations are conducted under Ontario’s Arbitrations Act, S.O. 1991 and proceed quite efficiently ; oral testimony may or may not be required . The last arbitration I had , the parties simply needed a ruling on a point of law . In addition to the ASF and the Exhibit Book , the parties filed a Book of Legal Authorities and written legal argument [ facta]. Once all of the written material are filed , a decision is rendered quickly . Most private arbitrations are confidential unless some statute requires the decision be made public like inter company insurance priority disputes ... See more

Ontario Courts - Important News - on April 20,2020, Chief Justice of Ontario’s Superior Court Geoffrey Morowetz announced the following : Given the on-...going public health situation, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice will not recommence criminal or civil jury selection or jury trials until September, 2020, at the earliest. And further ..... For civil jury matters, each region of the Court will consider how it can best reschedule civil jury trials that were to have been heard during this suspension of regular operations. Details will be shared in regional notices to the profession as they become available. [ END ] Sullivan Mediations Commentary This is remarkable . The courts are not hearing jury cases now and the judiciary is doing the best it can under the Covid-19 crisis but this announcement potentially will backlog civil matters tremendously . Once the courts I would think the courts will need to prioritize criminal and likely certain family cases over civil cases .

VIDEOCONFERENCING MEDIATIONS The recent health crisis has changed many businesses including litigation practice, which in many cases involves private mediation. Traditional mediation practice typically requires face to face meeting of the parties and their counsel. Counsel often broach the subject of private mediation just after oral examinations for discovery as the issues are focused. Counsel have met the opposing party, reported on the oral discovery and written producti...Continue reading

Now successfully settling cases via videoconferencing! Want a test run? We can set up quickly. Feel free to email Joe directly: [email protected] Stay safe everyone!

Specializing in multi-party mediations. Give me a call to chat about your case!

Hey, it's November! We're feeling charitable, and we've created a special burger! So we're giving away $5 from each purchase of it to 541 - Eatery & Exchange. So stop by and dig into our Button Burger - and help make a difference!! #hamont #hamonteats #november #burger

I travel all over Ontario to mediate! (Mode of transportation and wardrobe may vary).

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