Lawyer-Involved Mediation Package

Structured Half-Day & Full-Day Mediation with Legal Representation

This package is designed for family law matters where one or both parties are represented by legal counsel and mediation is used as a focused, efficient alternative to court or prolonged lawyer-to-lawyer negotiation.

The process is mediator-led and client-driven, with clear role boundaries to ensure procedural fairness, cost control, and productive resolution.

Pricing & Session Options

Half-Day Mediation

$1,799 + HST per couple
(Equivalent to $899.50 per person if shared equally)
Includes approximately 3–4 hours of mediation time.

Full-Day Mediation

$3,299 + HST per couple
(Equivalent to $1,649.50 per person if shared equally)
Includes approximately 6–7 hours of mediation time.

Fees are shared between the parties unless otherwise agreed.

Best Suited For

• Matters where one or both parties have retained family law counsel

• Parenting and/or financial issues requiring concentrated negotiation

• Counsel-supported resolution outside of court

• Situations where focused time blocks are preferable to multiple short sessions

Process Structure & Scope

1. Intake & Suitability Screening

• Individual intake meetings with each party

• Assessment of mediation suitability, safety, power dynamics, and readiness

• Confirmation that lawyer-involved mediation is appropriate

• Identification of issues, disclosure status, and process needs

2. Pre-Mediation Planning

• Clarification of issues to be addressed

• Agreement on disclosure expectations and session objectives

• Confirmation of counsel participation model, including:

  • counsel present throughout,

  • counsel attending specific portions, or

  • counsel available on-call for legal advice

This planning ensures mediation time is used efficiently and strategically.

3. Mediation Session (Half-Day or Full-Day)

• One mediator-led joint mediation session

• Focus on:

  • issue clarification

  • interest-based negotiation

  • option development and reality-testing

  • movement toward resolution

The mediator actively manages pacing, participation, and tone to prevent escalation and positional bargaining.

Shuttle Mediation (When Required)

While lawyer-involved mediation is typically conducted in joint session, shuttle mediation may be used where intake screening identifies factors that make joint participation inappropriate, such as:

• safety concerns

• significant power imbalance

• high emotional reactivity

• other factors affecting procedural fairness

Where shuttle mediation is required:

• parties participate separately

• counsel participation is structured and agreed in advance

• the mediator manages communication, pacing, and exchange of proposals

Shuttle mediation is used case-by-case as a safety-informed adaptation, not as a default.

Bonus Support Included (Value-Add)

Acceptance & Commitment Training (ACT) – Included

• 2 individual ACT-based sessions per party

• Skills-focused support to improve:

  • emotional regulation

  • values-based decision-making

  • cognitive flexibility during negotiation

ACT is a non-therapeutic, evidence-based skills approach designed to support effective participation in mediation. These sessions are offered as preparation and support, not counselling.

Issues Addressed

Depending on the scope of the matter, mediation may address:

• Parenting arrangements and decision-making responsibilities

• Child support in accordance with the Ontario Child Support Guidelines

• Section 7 expenses

• Division of assets and debts

• Clarification of settlement options for legal review

Documentation

• Preparation of Mediation Minutes, Minutes of Settlement, or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

• Documentation drafted to support Independent Legal Advice (ILA) and efficient finalization by counsel

Final binding agreements are completed by the parties’ lawyers.

What This Package Does Not Include

• Legal advice or advocacy by the mediator

• Court appearances or litigation strategy

• Drafting of final binding agreements by the mediator

• High-conflict containment beyond the booked mediation day

• Complex financial valuation work unless added by agreement

Important Process Note

This package supports good-faith, interest-based mediation with legal involvement. If the matter becomes unsuitable for mediation due to safety, disclosure, or escalation concerns, options for continuation or transition to another process will be discussed before proceeding.

Why Lawyers and Clients Choose This Package

• Familiar half-day / full-day mediation structure aligned with Ontario practice

• Predictable, shared costs for clients

• Efficient use of counsel time

• Skills-based ACT support to keep mediation on track

• Clear role boundaries consistent with mediation best practices