Re: March 20 article Few options other than court in P.G.
In light of the coming into force of the Family Law Act in British Columbia, the article is timely, and
correctly identifies an emphasis on family dispute resolution other than court. It may also be correct in that "Just one member of MediateBC is based in Prince George while there are four local members of Family Mediation Canada, all working out of the provincial government's Family Justice Centre in the Plaza 400 building downtown." However, MediateBC and Family Mediation Canada are not the only organizations that can accredit family law mediators. The Law Society of British Columbia regulates and sets accreditation standards for lawyers who act as mediators, parenting co-ordinators, and arbitrators. Local family lawyers have for many years provided, and continue to provide, family law mediation to clients. A casual browse through our local Yellow Pages will bear out that there are several family lawyers who are qualified to offer family law mediation. In addition, there are at least two local lawyers in Prince George who are qualified to arbitrate family law disputes.
Finally, it is misleading to compare a relatively straightforward matter that can be successfully
mediated in one or two sessions to a matter that would take five or 10 days of trial time. Mediation
does offer flexible, client-driven solutions, and can be very efficient from a cost perspective. The cost of resolving a family law dispute will depend on the time and complexity of the matter, whether dealt with in mediation, arbitration, or trial.
Sincerely,
Gregory A. Petrisor
