Mandatory Mediation in Ontario, Canada: Popular 20 Years On

Nearly 20 years ago, mediation became a required step in most civil litigation proceedings in three major Ontario cities. It was then shown to decrease time to settle cases, decrease cost to litigants, and increase satisfaction among lawyers and parties, among other benefits. Jennifer Egsgard is an Ontario lawyer and mediator that for 2 years has chaired a committee of the Ontario Bar Association looking at whether mandatory mediation ought to be expanded. The committee surveyed the views of Ontario lawyers, obtaining detailed insight into current views of mandatory mediation, which included overwhelming support for its expansion. The Ontario government is now considering expanding mandatory mediation to more areas of the Province, based partly on the Ontario Bar Association’s recent recommendation. Ms. Egsgard will explain how mandatory mediation works in Ontario, and will provide details about the results of an initial evaluation as well as current lawyer views.

Jennifer Egsgard Biography:

Jennifer Egsgard is a mediator with Egsgard Mediation. Currently based in London, Ms. Egsgard was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002. Ms. Egsgard worked as a barrister and solicitor for 6 years in the litigation department of a large Canadian national firm, Fasken, and later in a smaller firm that she started with a senior colleague, Sills Egsgard LLP, before starting Egsgard Mediation in 2018. She has completed the Harvard Mediating Commercial Disputes Course, and awaits results from the CEDR Mediation Skills Course. She has delivered talks on Ontario’s mandatory mediation program, including to the UK Civil Justice Committee, Judicial ADR Liaison Committee, as well as at a webinar with 500 participants from around the world.

Event will take place on Tuesday 9th March, from 5pm-6pm. Zoom link to be sent out nearer the time.

To book this free event please click HERE