It is critical for family arbitrators to have a solid grasp of arbitration law and procedure. This 40-hour, highly interactive, role-play-based course is designed to meet the requirements for the Ontario family arbitration designations.

Experienced arbitrator trainers and coaches bring their expertise, supplemented with engaged group discussion and role play to encourage individual learning.

Topics Include:

CORE TRAINING:

• Interviewing prospective participants to inform them of the family arbitration process and assist them in making an informed choice

• Screening for domestic violence and power imbalances

• Preparing a Family Arbitration Agreement

• Conducting pre-hearing arbitration meeting(s)

• Managing the family arbitration process

• Appropriate communication skills and knowledge

• Conducting the arbitration hearing

• Different kinds of hearings

• Principle of proportionality

• Application of the rules of evidence

• Assessing evidence

• Application of the applicable law

• Award writing skills

• Preparing the family arbitration record, award, and arbitrator report

• Costs awards: Best practices for managing the arbitration file

SUBSTANTIVE KNOWLEDGE BASE:

• Nature of conflict and conflict management, disputes and dispute resolution theory and principles

• Fundamentals of natural justice and due process

• Principles of applicable law

• Arbitration Act, 1991, Family Arbitration Regulation, Family Law Act, and the family arbitration process