© 2016 FDRIO | Privacy Policy | Refund & Cancellation Policy
News & Updates

The 2019 Crowe Soberman Award goes to …

FDRIO
Posted on October 3, 2019 at 11:05 am / 0

Dr. Rachel Birnbaum The Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO) has announced that Dr. Rachel Birnbaum is the recipient of the 2019 Crowe Soberman Award of Excellence. The award is given annually by FDRIO to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the field of family dispute resolution in Ontario. For full details click here. Dr. Birnbaum is cross appointed to Childhood Studies and Social Institutions & Social Work at King’s University College, Western, Ontario, where she teaches about children’s participation in the justice system and social work ethics and the law. Dr. Birnbaum has extensive clinical…

Read More
News & Updates

AFCC Ontario Draft Parenting Plan Guidelines

FDRIO
Posted on October 3, 2019 at 9:45 am / 0

A conversation with Nick Bala FDRIO: Tell us about the parenting plan guide, and why these materials are being developed? The origin of the project was in part a response to a concern expressed by some more experienced professionals that some of their less experienced colleagues did not seem fully familiar with basic child development concepts, and were sometimes developing parenting plans that were not appropriate, especially for younger children.  There were also concerns about the lack of materials to directly assist parents in Ontario, many of whom do not have professional assistance in making parenting plans. Further, even for…

Read More
News & Updates

The Trainer’s Forum

FDRIO
Posted on October 3, 2019 at 9:41 am / 0

A conversation with Michael Saini FDRIO: What is the goal of the Trainers’ Forum this year? A: The goal of the Trainers’ Forum this year is to provide trainers with an interactive opportunity to explore the use of simulations (standardized actors) while exploring concrete techniques for teaching about trauma-informed mediation (TIM).  Trainers will be provided the opportunity to simulate a mediation session to explore different techniques for keeping the conflict in the “window of tolerance” and to practice responding to trigger points within the mediation process. FDRIO: Why is this important for family and other mediation trainers? A: There has been…

Read More
News & Updates

Mediation Practicum is Coming

FDRIO
Posted on October 3, 2019 at 9:33 am / 0

November 19, 20 & 22 2019 A conversation with Cathryn L. Paul FDRIO: What is the purpose of the Practicum? A: The practicum is to help new mediators’ practice and develop their skills in realistic scenarios.   It can be hard for students to find practical experience opportunities to complete the supervised hours for certification.  We hope that this opportunity will help supplement their work with real clients, or be a starting point that will enrich their education before they start working with real clients. FDRIO: What will happen during the three days? A:  On the first day, there will be…

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDR Updates, News & Updates

Attachment in Family Mediation

Posted on May 24, 2019 at 1:30 pm / 0

Dr. Linda Ennis If we are truly understanding what constitutes a successful family mediation, we need to address the impact and role of attachment theory as a foundation for all human behavior.  The theory applies, in its entirety, as a continuum ranging from the secure to the insecure nature of relationships across the lifespan beginning in early childhood until adulthood. It all began with John Bowlby’s definition of attachment as “a deep and enduring bond that connects one person to another across time and space” (Bowlby, 1969). Children seek closeness or proximity to their attachment figures when they are upset…

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDR Updates, News & Updates

Having Two Lawyers on a File – is it a justifiable expense?

Posted on May 7, 2019 at 2:07 pm / 0

by Retired Justice, Cliff Nelson as part of “Cliff’s Notes” a feature in FDRIO’s newsletter This month, I am going to refer to two cases: one from the Ontario Court of Appeal, the other from the Superior Court of Justice. Neither case is of particular importance (except, of course, to the parties themselves) nor do they have much precedent value. However, I still think it is worth bringing them to your attention for reasons that will become apparent. We all know that litigation costs are beyond the reach of the majority of our citizens. Time and again, we have heard…

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDRIO in the News, News & Updates

Is Arbitration Right for Every Case?

Posted on April 29, 2019 at 11:03 am / 0

by Judith Nicoll Readers of this Newsletter will no doubt have read the FDRIO response to reports that an Ontario arbitrator had sided with a mother who chooses not to vaccinate her children.  The National Post reported (Mar.28/19) that the Arbitrator had accepted anti-vaccination evidence from a medical doctor who now practiced chiefly in alternative medicine.  The article reported that the Arbitrator qualified the doctor as an expert on vaccination, although a Judge in the U.S. had declined to do so in a similar case. It appears that the father in the case either has or intends to take the…

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDRIO in the News, News & Updates

Book Review: A Guide to Family Arbitration in Ontario

by Stephen Grant and Jenna Preston (Lexis Nexis 2018)
Posted on April 26, 2019 at 1:02 pm / 0

Score: 9.5/10 This thin (just over 100 pages of text),  easy-to-read primer is a gem for family arbitrators and parenting coordinators. It is also a great guide for counsel wondering if private adjudication is a good option.   One may not wholly accept the premise that family arbitration is becoming the norm in Ontario due to an unwieldy court system—— you can get a trial or long motion date in Toronto in 4-6 weeks— nor with the assertion that family arbitration is less costly than court. But if you want to quickly and solidly learn the basics of family arbitration…

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDRIO in the News, News & Updates

Staying Within the Lines: Separation Agreements by Non-Lawyer Mediators

Posted on April 26, 2019 at 12:10 pm / 0

The outpouring of public commentary about a recent family arbitration cries out for clarification. There seems to be much misinformation and mistrust about family arbitration. Yet most family arbitrators are experienced, caring professionals. Most arbitrations are successful in the opinion of the parties who participated in them.

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDR Updates, News & Updates

One-sided assessments are a no-no, for those who Mediate and/or Arbitrate Child-Related Matters, by (retired Justice) Cliff Nelson

Posted on April 25, 2019 at 6:14 pm / 0

The outpouring of public commentary about a recent family arbitration cries out for clarification. There seems to be much misinformation and mistrust about family arbitration. Yet most family arbitrators are experienced, caring professionals. Most arbitrations are successful in the opinion of the parties who participated in them.

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDR Updates, News & Updates

Pre-arbitration preparations are key to Family Arbitrators, by (retired Justice) Cliff Nelson

Posted on April 25, 2019 at 5:15 pm / 0

The outpouring of public commentary about a recent family arbitration cries out for clarification. There seems to be much misinformation and mistrust about family arbitration. Yet most family arbitrators are experienced, caring professionals. Most arbitrations are successful in the opinion of the parties who participated in them.

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDRIO in the News, News & Updates

“Arbitrator sides with Ontario parent who refuses to immunize children, cites anti-vaccination ‘expert’.”

Posted on April 1, 2019 at 7:34 pm / 0

The outpouring of public commentary about a recent family arbitration cries out for clarification. There seems to be much misinformation and mistrust about family arbitration. Yet most family arbitrators are experienced, caring professionals. Most arbitrations are successful in the opinion of the parties who participated in them.

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDR Updates, News & Updates

Ordering Mediation in a Civil Case with Extensive Family Overlap

Posted on March 21, 2019 at 3:07 pm / 0

by Retired Justice, Cliff Nelson as part of “Cliff’s Notes” a feature in FDRIO’s newsletter In a recent case, Adams v. Adams 2019 ONSC 1431, which pitted a wife against her husband and in-laws over how much money, if any, was owing to her from equity in the in-laws’ house, Master Ronna Brott had to decide whether to compel all the parties to attend mediation. With respect to the property, the wife relied upon a formula in a written agreement, while the defendants denied the existence of the agreement, refusing to pay anything to the wife. The wife initiated both…

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDRIO in the News, News & Updates

FDRIO Member Jared Norton On Managing the Many Hats that FDR Professionals Must Wear

Posted on March 21, 2019 at 1:49 pm / 0

By AJ Jakubowska Jared, I appreciate this opportunity to pose some questions to you, so FDRIO members can find out more about you and your approach to FDR.  In my preliminary research, I noted your emphasis on the importance of treating each individual, each dispute as unique. I also see you have an interest in process addiction, such as gaming and gambling. But talking about that first would mean getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s start with your background.   AJ:  You have a Masters in Social Work from the University of Toronto, where you specialized in Child, Youth and Services….

Read More
Family Dispute Resolution, FDRIO in the News, News & Updates

Free of Judgment….and With an Open Mind: Members Matilda Kissi and Gilead Kay on how FDR Professionals can remain neutral and impartial

Posted on February 22, 2019 at 1:02 pm

by AJ Jakubowksa In conversation with Matilda and Gil. Psychologists are divided on the question of how we become who we are and why we behave the way we do in various situations.  For example, those who subscribe to trait theories believe that human behaviour arises from particular personality or character traits. Situationists, on the other hand, postulate that human beings react to particular situations irrespective of their unique, personal characteristics.  It is the situation which causes them to act in a given way, not what they bring to it of themselves. There are other theories. Most modern personality psychologists…

Read More
← Older Posts

Copyright 2017 FDRIO

Yes No