Mediation

Mediation is assisted negotiation by a neutral third party who guides disputing parties in voluntarily reaching their own mutually acceptable settlement.

The mediation process allows each of the parties to meet with the mediator separately before coming together to discuss the issues and possible resolutions. Depending on the level of conflict, your mediator will create a mediation plan that best suits your individual needs. This might include shuttle mediation (where the parties are physically separated and the mediator goes between two separate rooms to facilitate discussions), co-mediation (where the parties meet with two mediators for added support and skillset) or standard mediation (where both parties are in the room together with one mediator).

We do not all communicate the same way. A mediator can help you through the conversation to make decisions about your separation or divorce.

Collaborative Law

Getting a lawyer does not mean you have to go to court. A collaborative legal process is facilitated by trained lawyers who assist parties in resolving conflict using cooperative strategies while making sure that you have the support in place and legal advice every step of the way. One of the fundamental differences in the collaborative process is that both parties agree that if they are not able to resolve matters amicably, that they will both be required to obtain new legal counsel to proceed with litigation. This serves as an incentive for the parties to negotiate in good faith.

Arbitration

Sometimes, settlement is not possible and third party intervention is required. Court litigation has become expensive and is out of reach for many families. An arbitrator is an independent, mutually agreed upon person who listens to your issue(s) and provides a binding decision without the expense of going to court.

The arbitration process allows each party to present their own evidence (either on their own behalf or with the assistance of their own lawyer). An arbitrator can be retained at any stage post-separation and can make a binding decision on all of the issues or only one specific issue.

The Arbitration Act of Manitoba requires that a family arbitrator must be a practising lawyer and have practised law for at least ten years with family law being their primary area of practise.

Legal Services

In addition to the alternative dispute resolution, we offer limited scope services as follows:

• child protection defence;

• drafting documents for contested litigation (affidavits, Petitions, motion briefs, motions, applications, financial statements);

• notarizing and witnessing documents;

• independent legal advice (for separation agreements or real estate documents);

• amicus reports;

• uncontested guardianships and adoptions; and

• committeeships.