Photo: Andy Livingston, CEO of Dexterity Consulting and arbitration instructor at Kompass

Over the last few years there's been a considerable uptick in demand for alternative dispute resolution services like arbitration and mediation.

The pandemic has only accelerated this trend as people look to settle their conflicts outside of court.

And lawyers aren't the only ones pursuing careers in ADR.

People from diverse professional backgrounds are taking mediation and arbitration training to better handle workplace disputes - or set up private ADR practices.

This week we spoke with Andy Livingston, a social sciences graduate turned certified ADR professional, who runs a private practice and teaches arbitration training at Kompass.

Andy walks us through the online arbitration certificate and explains different pathways to becoming an arbitrator in Canada.

Think you might be interested in this course? Read on for an inside look.

Arbitration is one of the most popular forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Similar to a judge, an arbitrator is a neutral third party who hears witnesses and reviews evidence before delivering a judgment that is usually legally binding.

However, arbitration is less formal than courtroom litigation and typically less costly and time-consuming.

And unlike the court system, parties involved in arbitration are allowed to choose their own arbitrator, and can design the process to suit their own needs. That means they can choose the timing and place of the arbitration, as well as who will be present.

Another key benefit of arbitration is privacy. Proceedings are confidential, which is generally considered a major advantage over litigation.

But how does one start a career in arbitration?  What kind of training pathways and certifications are available in Canada?

Here is a simple breakdown of arbitration careers, training options, and professional designations.

Quick summary: Compare accredited mediation and arbitration certificates offered at Kompass. Learn how you can build your own customized online dispute resolution training program.

Disputes are an inevitable part of the human experience. In personal and professional relationships, in family groups and work settings, at the community level, and between nations—conflict is a fact of life. 

It’s how we deal with disputes that defines our capacity to evolve and grow. This is an increasingly valued personal and professional skill.

We’ve been delivering online dispute resolution training for years, and are continuously surprised at the diverse backgrounds and motivations of students. 

The use of arbitration is on the rise. More and more employers require workers to sign mandatory arbitration agreements, keeping conflicts like employment discrimination and wrongful termination out of the courts.

We're also seeing a major uptick in intellectual property and technology disputes handled through arbitration.

Arbitration clauses are finding their way into a growing number of consumer contracts, spanning everything from cell phone agreements and home purchases to car rentals and cable service providers. There is also a widespread movement to use arbitration as an alternative to litigation for international commercial disputes.

Virtual arbitration, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in arbitration, and the emergence of arbitration analytics all point toward the expansion and rapid evolution of the practice.

Yet, despite its growing importance in the world of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), a number of myths persist about the nature and process of arbitration.

Arbitration can be used to resolve everything from personal injury cases and commercial disputes, to conflicts between countries. But how does it differ from mediation and litigation? Why would clients opt for arbitration over other forms of dispute resolution?

In this post, we're breaking down some of the most common advantages and challenges of arbitration, with the goal of helping newcomers to the field get a better sense of how this process works.

Thinking about becoming an arbitrator? Take a look at the key features of arbitration, and some of the issues you'll face helping clients settle dispute within this framework.