The ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) has welcomed the recent judicial appointments announced on October 20, 2016, expressing optimism that these 24 appointments signal the beginning of meaningful government leadership aimed at reducing hearing times for people caught in the judicial system.
Scott Siemens, President of ADRIC – Canada’s stated: “Quite clearly, our judiciary was short-staffed; and equally clearly, more appointments are necessary.”
However Mr. Siemens also stressed that a healthy justice system depends not only on a properly staffed court system.
“More needs to be done to educate the public about alternative dispute resolution (ADR)” he said, “As well as options open to the public to resolve their disputes outside of the court system”.
Siemens added that both the government and the judiciary need to better embrace mediation, arbitration and other forms of ADR.
“We must invest in the future. The 24 new appointees are a good start to that investment.” But Siemens realizes a larger judiciary alone is not sufficient to eliminate the “Access to Justice” (#A2J) crisis facing Canadians.
ADRIC supports the increased acceptance and use by the courts of strong, solid and dependable peripheral available resources such as arbitration and mediation.
For further information, or for an interview with Scott Siemens please contact:
Janet McKay, Executive Director
ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC)
416-487-4733 x 105
janetmckay@adric.ca
