Kompass Blog

Across the globe, several key factors have helped legitimize alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as an effective means of settling conflicts outside of court. 

The ever-rising expense of litigation is a main driver, along with hopelessly backlogged courts and the stress of drawn-out legal battles. 

As an industry, ADR is maturing and evolving at a rapid rate. Mediators and arbitrators are becoming increasingly sophisticated and specialized, tackling more complex cases, and developing more nuanced ADR techniques. 

What’s the next stage of growth for alternative dispute resolution? Here's a look at three major trends that are changing and shaping the ADR industry right now.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Expanded Use of Technology in Dispute Resolution
2. ADR Spreading Into New Contexts
3. New Collaboration Between OAFM and FDRIO

If you’re interested in family mediation in Ontario, chances are you’ve heard of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM). Established in 1982, it is the largest accrediting body of family mediators in the province.

Mediation is not technically a regulated field. However, becoming accredited through OAFM can give you more professional credibility and greater employment opportunities. You must be accredited to take part in court-connected mediation services, for example.

To learn more about the organization and get answers to common student questions about family mediation, we spoke with OAFM Executive Director Mary-Anne Popescu.

Updated June 2024

Suppose an elderly mother has cognitive challenges due to a stroke and her adult children fear she isn’t safe at home anymore. Or the son of a senior suspects the older man’s new romantic partner is taking advantage of him financially. These are difficult conversations that can lead to ruptured relationships.

That’s where intergenerational mediation comes in. Also known as elder mediation, it’s a form of alternative dispute resolution that focuses on conflicts concerning older adults. Skilled mediators provide a forum for older people and their loved ones to air their worries and begin charting a path forward.

The idea of switching from one job or industry to another can be pretty intimidating. Maybe you’d like to make a change, but feel unqualified to do so. Here’s the good news: you probably have more transferable skills than you realize.

Your past experiences have likely equipped you with certain skills that are universally useful, like communication, organization, or planning. You just need to figure out what your particular strengths are and how you can highlight them in a way that attracts potential employers.

If you’re thinking about exploring a new career path, you’re not alone. An Indeed Canada survey from 2019 found that 38 per cent of Canadian workers had made the leap to a new field and another 35 per cent were considering doing so. Given the career change culture of the past few years, those numbers have likely increased.

But transitioning to a whole new field can be a challenge. To do it successfully, you need a well-crafted resume that effectively communicates your skills, experiences, and passion for that particular sector.

Mediation is not a regulated field in Canada. There is no specific degree, diploma, or certificate you must have to start a career in mediation.

That said, most successful mediators have earned designations through the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC)—the country’s leading alternative dispute resolution organization.

If you’re just starting out in the field, you’re probably aiming for the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation. This is ADRIC’s entry-level credential, and you don’t need any professional mediation experience to earn it.

You do, however, need to meet certain educational criteria. And that’s where Kompass can help. Our accredited courses fulfill the basic and specialized mediation training components, so you can be fully prepared to get your Q.Med.

Updated September 2023

Mediation and arbitration are not currently regulated in Canada, this means you don't have to hold a designation to practise as a mediator or arbitrator in Canada. However, earning a designation from the well-respected ADR Institute of Canada will give you credibility as a professional in the field.

You should also know that family mediation is treated differently than other forms of alternative dispute resolution. If you want to provide court-connected family mediation services, you typically need to become certified through an organization like Family Mediation Canada or the Ontario Association for Family Mediation.

In this post, we take you through the different designations that are available from each organization, what it takes to earn them, and how Kompass can help.

Learning doesn’t stop once you enter the workforce—at least not if you want to become successful. After all, no one begins their career knowing everything they will ever need to know. The work world is constantly changing, and technologies and methodologies in use now may be irrelevant or outdated in a very short time.

To move forward in your career and reach your goals, you need to make professional development a priority. Whether you take classes or workshops, participate in mentoring programs, or attend industry conferences, it’s critical to continue learning and improving.

Here’s why.

The field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is not regulated in Canada. There is no official body that governs the conduct of ADR professionals.

However, the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) plays a key role in setting educational and ethical standards for mediators and arbitrators throughout the province. Membership is voluntary, but comes with a number of benefits.

If you’re a manager or administrator in an area like health care, law enforcement, human resources, or education, your team members are likely interacting with mentally ill individuals every day—even if they don’t always realize it.

Unfortunately, many people don’t know the signs of mental illness and aren’t sure how to respond when they encounter someone struggling with it.

Mental health training in the workplace teaches employees to recognize and understand common mental health conditions. This can be valuable for anyone, but it’s especially important for community-serving employees who frequently deal with individuals with mental health challenges in the course of their work. That includes healthcare providers, teachers, police officers, librarians, and HR professionals.

Keep reading to learn more about the importance of mental health training in the workplace and how it can benefit your team.