Practical & solution-driven

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practical & solution-driven

about ADR Ottawa

ADR Ottawa works effectively with clients of all sizes – private citizens, public companies, government and non-governmental institutions – to achieve the most elaborate or modest dispute and conflict resolution goals.

Led by principal Steven C. Gaon, B.A., J.D. (LL.B.), C.Med., a trained and certified lawyer, mediator and arbitrator, ADR Ottawa is based in the heart of the nation’s capital. We will be pleased to bring ADR Ottawa’s services to any location that serves you best: at your office, a third-party facility, or by videoconference which we will arrange and host.

ADR Ottawa offers a wide variety of dispute and conflict resolution services, ranging from modest to large-scale, from simple to complex.

Mediation
Arbitration
Harassment & Administrative Investigation
Facilitation
Workplace Conflict Resolution

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services

Mediation

Mediation is an alternative to the adversarial form of dispute resolution used for centuries to settle disputes. Mediation is not a trial, arbitration or adjudication, in which a court, person or board formally determines the rights and obligations of parties and imposes a decision on them. Mediators are neutral third parties who facilitate settlement discussions in an informal setting and help seek mutually acceptable solutions to conflicts.

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Arbitration

Arbitration is a process in which disputing parties present their cases, with or without the assistance of legal counsel, to an impartial third-party arbitrator who renders a binding or non-binding decision or “award” (depending on the terms of reference). The process is generally governed by provincial legislation. Arbitration is an alternative to a trial in a court of law. The process is similar in the sense that it is an adjudicative process, but different in that it is much less formal. An arbitrator’s decision in a binding arbitration is typically subject only to limited rights of appeal or no appeal.

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Harassment & Administrative Investigation

Harassment and other administrative investigations are generally conducted in the workplace pursuant to institutional harassment and discrimination policies, codes of ethics and other applicable policies. Allegations of harassment may involve inappropriate words or conduct – or sexual harassment – or abuse of authority. The investigation process involves interviewing witnesses, examining and weighing evidence and writing reports with detailed analysis and findings.

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Med-Arb

Med-Arb is a process in which a neutral third party acts as a mediator and as an arbitrator. Mediation is attempted first; then the parties submit the remaining unresolved issues for arbitration. The process is described as a “hybrid“ because it combines two forms of alternative dispute resolution in the same setting. In this process, ADR Ottawa fulfills a dual role, assisting parties to resolve what they can, then rendering a binding decision on what the parties are unable to resolve.

facilitation

Facilitation is distinct from mediation, as the focus is not necessarily on settling defined conflicts. Facilitations are often required in a workplace setting, to resolve ongoing disputes between co-workers and group dysfunction. A facilitator coordinates and facilitates group activities, narrowing and defining issues and managing any difficulties or tension between parties in order to move toward a more productive resolution of issues. ADR Ottawa offers the skills and experience necessary to effectively coordinate and manage group dynamics in an intensive group setting, whether the group is large or small.

Workplace Examination

Examinations of the workplace are conducted to determine whether there is a poisoned or problematic work environment, why such problems exist, and what recommendations can be made to help resolve them. The purpose is not to assess wrongdoing or assign fault. Rather, the goal is to assess the situation in the workplace and provide a detailed report that outlines the important issues and proposes practical solutions to the problems that have been identified.

professionals

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Steven C. Gaon

With an extensive background as a lawyer, Chartered Mediator Steven Gaon founded ADR Ottawa Inc. in 2003. He has mediated, arbitrated and investigated thousands of legal and other cases since that time. Mr. Gaon is also a leader in Ottawa’s legal community, having been elected to the Board of Trustees of the County of Carleton Law Association in multiple years, and then serving as CCLA President. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Common Law.

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Calendar

To reserve an appointment, please click on an available date. We will contact you on receipt of your booking form.

fees

Mediation, Arbitration & Facilitation

Half-day Ottawa and Virtual Mediations: $1,800 block fee (minimum) for a 3-hour mediation, including reasonable preparation time, plus HST and reasonable disbursements, if any.
Full-day Ottawa and Virtual Mediations: $3,600 block fee (minimum) for a 6-hour mediation, including reasonable preparation time, plus HST and reasonable disbursements, if any.
Mediations Outside National Capital Region of Ottawa: $4,200 block fee for a 6-hour mediation (full-day minimum), including reasonable preparation time, plus HST and applicable disbursements.
$600 per hour plus HST for every hour or part hour over the set 3 or 6-hour mediation time, as the case may be.
Arbitrations and Facilitations: $600 per hour plus HST and applicable disbursements.

Cancellation Fees

If an ADR session is adjourned or cancelled for any reason, counsel for the party or parties requesting the adjournment or cancellation (or the party, if unrepresented) will be responsible for a cancellation fee. If we do not receive at least 15 clear calendar days’ notice to adjourn or cancel an ADR session from the date selected, there will be a cancellation fee of one half the minimum rate of the booked session. Failing agreement as to which party bears responsibility for the cancellation, the fee will be divided equally among the parties.

Harassment and Administrative Investigation & Workplace Examination

ADR Ottawa charges an hourly rate for investigations. Depending on the nature of the client organization and the file, we are prepared to negotiate fee structures on a case-by-case basis, considering the complexity of the matter, number of witnesses to be interviewed, time anticipated to complete the work and other factors.

Government & Non-Government Organizations

We will abide by applicable tariffs for fees and disbursements permissible by regulations and policies of federal, provincial and municipal government departments and agencies, such as the Treasury Board of Canada Guidelines. We are also prepared to work with non-government clients, such as not-for-profit organizations, to respect budgetary goals and realistic financial limits.