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futuremost

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

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describedasmediationadvocacyahybridoftrialadvocacy

andnegotiationskills

Trialadvocacyrequirescounseltotakeasinglemindedapproach

Thefocusoftrialadvocacyistomakeargumentsthatleadthenderof

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

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

mustmoveseamlesslybetweenadvocacyandnegotiationallthewhile

reachingcommongroundonthekeyissuesindispute

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

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

 MrTorriewascalledtothebarofOntarioinHeisthefounderandpresident

ofGlobalResolutionsIncadisputeresolutioncompanythatoersitsservices

throughoutCanadaandtheUnitedStatesMrTorriehasmediatedawiderangeof

casessinceHewasappointedbytheAorneyGeneralofOntariotomediate

multifacetedlanddisputesHehasappearedasanexpertwitnessontheselement

ofinsuranceclaimsMrTorriemediatedoneofOntariosmostcomplexmotor

vehicleaccidentcasesknownasOperationFog