Mediation Advocacy: A Mediator's Perspective

• Author: Paul Torrie
• Pages: 429-435



MediationAdvocacy

AMediatorsPerspective

Paul Torrie*

Throughout Ontarios civil justice system mediation has become the

preferredoptionforresolvinglawsuitsFortheforeseeablefut uremost

counselarelikelytospendmoretimeinamediationroomthanacour t-

roomThebundle ofskills deployedbycounselat mediationcontinues

tomatureandevolveIthasnowreached thepointwhereaform ofad-

vocacydistinctfromtrialadvocacyhasemergedThisformofadvocacy

can bedescr ibeda smediation advocacyahybrid oft rial advocacy

andnegotiationskills

Trialadvocacyrequ irescoun selto takea singleminded approach

Thefocusoftr ialadvocacyistomakearg umentsthatleadthe nderof

facttoacceptonespositionandachievearuli nginyourclientsfavour

without compromise On the other hand in mediation the advocate

mustmoveseamlesslybetweenadvocacyandnegot iationallthewh ile

reachingcommongroundonthekeyis suesindispute

Arguablyeectivemediationadvocacyrequiresamorecomplexset

ofskillst hantrial advocacyThecomplexityincreaseswhenas isoen

 MrTorriewascalledtothebarofOnt arioinHeisthefounderandpres ident

ofGlobalResolutionsIncadisp uteresolutioncompanythatoersitss ervices

throughoutCanadaa ndtheUnitedStatesMrTorriehasmedi atedawiderangeof

casessinceHewasappointedbyth eAorneyGeneralofOnta riotomediate

multifacetedlandd isputesHehasappeare dasanexpertwit nessonthesele ment

ofinsurancec laimsMrTorriemediatedoneofOnt ariosmostcomplexmotor

vehicleaccidentcase sknownasOperationFog