Today I’d like to conclude my discussion of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) addressing the other two common ADR methods: arbitration and collaborative law.
For arbitration, participation is generally voluntary, though in many instances the parties may be compelled to participate in arbitration under back-to-work legislation or by a contract that was previously entered into. In arbitration, [...]

Yesterday I mentioned alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as means to solve legal problems. Today and tomorrow I’d like to briefly explain how it works.
Typical ADR may involve one or more of the following: mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and collaborative law.
Each of the above-mentioned methods requires special training. My purpose here is to give readers a brief [...]

From time to time I’ve dealt with unrepresented parties before various courts and tribunals. To my surprise, more than once they’ve asked me for legal advice. What could I tell them?
Before turning them away, I told them that my duty is to serve my client only, and that they would have to seek independent legal [...]

Toronto Star columnist Joe Fiorito recently spent a day at the Tenant Hotline, operated by the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations, and wrote this article.
According to Mr. Fiorito, nightmarish stories poured through the phone line on that fateful morning. Highlights included: illegal entry by the landlord, flood caused by faulty toilets, heating deficiencies, overcharged utilities [...]

Today is Earth Day. In celebration of the occasion, I’d like to talk about the idea of the paperless law office.
Lawyers are notorious paper-consumers. While some may call the seemingly insatiable consumption of paper an occupational hazard, I think otherwise.
It’s true that necessities dictate the use of paper. For example, all court forms in the [...]