Dispute Resolution Services

Facilitation refers to the process of designing and running a successful meeting. The definition of facilitate is “to make easy” or “ease a process.” What a facilitator does is plan, guide, and manage a group event to ensure that the group’s objectives are met effectively with clear thinking, strong participation, and full buy-in from everyone who is involved. To facilitate effectively, you must be objective. This doesn’t mean you have to come from outside the organization or team though. It simply means that, for the purposes of this group process, you will take a neutral stance.

You step back from the detailed content and from your own personal views, and focus purely on the group process. The group process is the approach used to manage discussions, get the best from all members, and bring the event through to a successful conclusion. The key responsibility of a facilitator is to create this group process and provide an environment in which a productive meeting can take place in order to promote a successful decision, solution, or conclusion for the group as a whole.

Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and is a way to resolve disputes outside the court system. The dispute will be decided by one or more persons (the “arbitrators”, “arbiters” or “arbitral tribunal“), which renders the “arbitral award.” An arbitral award is legally binding on both sides and enforceable in the courts. Arbitration is a proceeding in which a dispute is resolved by an impartial adjudicator whose decision the parties to the dispute have agreed, or legislation has decreed, will be final and binding. There are limited rights of review and appeal of arbitration awards.

Restorative Practices are gently directed problem-solving and change making processes. It involves structured face-to-face communications about the nature and impact of harm and conflict from all possible perspectives where all parties have an equal role in negotiating mutually equitable solutions and closure. Restorative Practices are keys to proactive responses to improving interpersonal relationships.