Mediation

At Soby Boyden Lenz we are committed to helping our clients choose the most suitable dispute resolution process for them. Many of our clients choose mediation as an option, and our lawyers are experienced in helping them be most effective by providing legal advice and coaching and attending mediation sessions with them when appropriate.

We also offer the services of skilled and experienced family mediators – John Soby Q.C., Barbara Widdowson Q.C., Sherry Kachur, Krysta Ostwald, Scot Menzies, Sandra Hudson and Michelle Bailey.

A mediator is a neutral facilitator whose role is to assist parties to negotiate a voluntary agreement. The mediator helps the parties to

• Manage conflict
• Identify issues that need resolution
• Communicate effectively
• Identify important needs, concerns and interests of both parties
• Obtain and verify information necessary to make decisions
• Develop a wide range of options for resolution
• Reach an agreement that meets the needs of both parties
• Document the agreement by providing a written memorandum

Mediation provides

• A safe and respectful process for negotiation
• A private process–discussions are confidential
• A future-focused process
• An opportunity for creative and individually tailored resolutions
• A flexible process
• With or without lawyers present
• With opportunity to engage neutral experts such as financial planners, psychologists, business valuators, etc.
• With many options for pacing or scheduling
• Control over the outcome

In order for mediation to be effective

• It is important for the parties to have independent legal advice
• Both parties must commit to participate fully in a good faith negotiation
• Both parties must commit to provide full and honest disclosure of financial or other relevant information
• Each party must be prepared to seek a resolution which meets the needs of both parties

A mediator does not

• Provide legal advice
• Make decisions
• Advocate for either party