ODR – A Practical Program for Practitioners

   

 

 

The ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and The Canadian Collaborative for Engagement & Conflict Management (CECM) have united on a new, ambitious and practically-focused program in support of mediators and arbitrators offering services online.  This program has been developed by Colm Brannigan and Marc Bhalla, who each have a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in Dispute Resolution and focused their academic research on Online Dispute Resolution.  Colm and Marc have been practicing ODR long before the COVID-19 pandemic and believe that there is a great deal more to addressing conflict remotely than getting a videoconferencing account.

This in-depth, interactive program will highlight what is unique about addressing conflict online.  In its practical focus, attendees will be walked through online mediation and arbitration processes, from engagement to conflict closure.  Unique challenges and opportunities will be discussed and creative ways to make use of various technologies to enhance the process demonstrated.

Whether this is your first foray into the world of ODR or you are well versed in it, you will be able to enhance your practice by taking this unique 10-hour program.  The program will be presented through an introduction and 3 modules, over the dates below.

Instructors:        

Colm Brannigan
LL.M (ADR), C.Med,
C.Arb, IMI Cert, FCIArb

 

 

Marc Bhalla
LL.M (DR), CCI (Hon’s),
C.Med, Q.Arb, MCIArb

 

 

 

Format:  This course will be presented online via Zoom.

Required Equipment:  Attendees need a computer, tablet or phone, an internet connection (wired recommended), a microphone and video camera if they wish to be seen or to participate by audio or video.  Attendees do not have to present themselves visually or audibly to interact or otherwise participate in the course.

Who Should Take This Course?  Mediators, arbitrators, lawyers and other legal representatives who are either involved in online dispute resolution or are considering becoming involved and would like to learn more about it than a one-platform-fits-all approach.  While ODR shares similarities with in-person processes, there are significant differences that practitioners need to be aware of.

 

Introduction	Module 1	Module 2	Module 3
Welcome / Opening Remarks	Welcome / Overview of Module	The Agreement to Mediate Online – Key Agreement Clauses	Online Mediation
Introduction to Instructors	The Opportunities & Challenges of Online Dispute Resolution	How Arbitrator Appointment Works Online	Online Settlement Negotiations
Introduction to Attendees	Beyond Zoom – An Overview of Various Processes, Platforms & Tools	Online  Med-Arb Agreements	Online Arbitration
History of ODR	Put Yourself in their Tech – Empathizing with Clients	Essential Pre-Process Meeting Tips	The Challenge of Witness Testimony in Online Arbitration
What to expect out of program	Put Yourself in their Robe – Understanding Legal Counsel	Not Mission Impossible – Overcoming Common Hurdles	Managing and Recognizing the Perception of Bias
	Live, Rehearsed or Pre-Recorded – Synchronous & Asynchronous Process Considerations	Creating a Safe and Balanced Space	Getting it in Writing – Capturing Settlement Terms Online
	Platform Checklists	Feeling Heard Online	Launching and promoting an ODR practice.
		Presence & Power	Client engagement – proposing ODR and related options

Professional Development Accreditation:

• ADRIC Continuing Education & Engagement (CEE) points: 20
• Law Society of British Columbia: 10 hours
• Law Society of New Brunswick: 10 hours
• Law Society of Saskatchewan: 9 hours
• CPD accreditation pending from all Law Societies across Canada

2021 Sessions:    

Spring workshop:     Tuesday March 30 through Thursday April 1, 2021  Register here.  EARLY BIRD OPPORTUNITY: Those who register by Thursday, January 21st participate in an online role play exercise! (Role play assignments will be circulated in late January.)

Summer workshop:  Tuesday July 6 through Thursday July 8, 2021  (Registration opens soon)
Fall workshop:            Tuesday September 7 through Thursday September 9, 2021 (Registration opens soon)

Schedule

Introduction & Module 1:            Tuesday                   1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Module 2:                                        Wednesday             1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Module 3:                                        Thursday                 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET

Registration Rates:

ADRIC Members:  $495     Non-Members:  $695     applicable taxes extra

Limited spaces available

Deadline to register:  the Thursday prior at 11:59pm ET

Special offer to attendees:  Those who register to attend this program are welcome to sign up to participate in a ZOOM settings webinar and a role play exercise coordinated by Colm and Marc after the program concludes. (To participate, just indicate your interest during the first session.)

Note: this course is available in English only at the moment, but we hope to translate and find French instructors for 2021.

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you must cancel, notice must be received in writing. All refund requests received up to one week prior to the date of the webinar will receive a refund less a 5% administrative fee. Notice must be received NO LATER THAN 11:59pm ET THREE DAYS PRIOR to the date of the webinar to receive a refund less a 25% administrative fee unless we are able to find a replacement for your spot, in which case you will receive a refund less 10% admin fee. No refunds available after that point.