National Introductory Arbitration Course

We offer the ADR Institute of Canada 40-hour National Introductory Arbitration Training Course once per year in the Fall, alternating between Saskatoon and Regina. The next planned delivery will be in Fall 2023 and will be conducted online. 

Updated as of September 11, 2023
Registration is now closed. If you are interested in joining the waitlist in the event of a cancellation, please email us at [email protected].

COURSE DELIVERY DATES:

Part I: October 16, 17, 18 AND
Part II: November 20, 21, 22

DELIVERY: 
Online Delivery through Zoom

TIMES:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
Two additional hours of training will be added to cover virtual hearings and family arbitrations (the additional time will be added to existing dates, to be determined).

HOMEWORK & DEADLINES:
Students will be required to submit a “practice award” in the break between the two periods, and then submit their final award / exam after the mock hearing on the last day of the course.

THIS COMPREHENSIVE, 40 HOUR PROGRAM INCLUDES:

  • An introduction to the arbitration process and its various applications.
  • How to conduct an arbitration hearing.
  • How to write an arbitration award.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDITS

 
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS

Once successfully completed, this Course fulfills the educational requirements for the ADR Institute of Canada’s national designations of Qualified Arbitrator (Q.Arb) and Chartered Arbitrator (C.Arb). A separate designation application will be required.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

  • Aspiring arbitrators including:
    • Lawyers wishing to add arbitration to their practice.
    • Mediators wishing to augment their ADR practice.
    • Union Representatives, Management and Specialists in Human Resources and Labour Relations.
    • Insurance Adjudicators, Investigators, Chairs of Adjudication Panels, Tribunal Members, Accountants, Engineers and other professionals.


PREREQUISITES

  • No prior arbitration training or qualifications required.

    REQUIREMENT for NON-LAWYERS

    All Non-lawyers registering for this Arbitration course MUST buy the following book and read the noted chapters related to Contract Law as a preparation for the course with regards legal knowledge.
    ‘The Law and Business Administration In Canada’ (14th or 15th Ed) by J.E. Smyth, D.A. Soberman, A.J. Easson and S.A. McGill
    https://www.pearsoncanada.ca/media/highered-showcase/multi-product-showcase/smyth-preface.pdf

    Topics related to Contract Law are covered in  Part 3 of the book and includes Chapter 6 to Chapter 13.    
    Chapter 6 - Formation of a Contract: Offer and Acceptance  
    Chapter 7 - Formation of a Contract: Consideration and Intention  
    Chapter 8 - Formation of a Contract: Capacity to Contract and Legality of Object  
    Chapter 9 - Grounds Upon Which a Contract May Be Set Aside: Mistake and Misrepresentation  
    Chapter 10 - Writing and Interpretation  
    Chapter 11 - Privity of Contract and the Assignment of Contractual Rights  
    Chapter 12 - The Discharge of Contracts  
    Chapter 13 - Breach of Contract and Its Remedies

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Become familiar with arbitration as a process.
  • Compare arbitration, mediation, negotiation and litigation and understand their differences.
  • Become aware of the various applications for arbitration.
  • Become fluent in the arbitration act in your jurisdiction.
  • Know the key objectives of arbitration.
  • Understand the role and responsibilities of the arbitrator.
  • Learn the stages of an arbitration file.
  • Learn about running a fair arbitration hearing.
  • Understand the concept of evidence in arbitration hearings.
  • Understand the role of contract law in arbitration.
  • Be introduced to the modern method of interpretation of contracts and legislation.
  • Learn about good decision making and gain practice in decision making as the arbitrator.
  • Learn about good decision writing and gain practice in writing awards.
  • Gain practice in dealing with ethical dilemmas.


STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

  • Before the course, we will send you Pre-Course Materials including reading and exercises to be completed before to the start of the course. You should set aside three to four hours to do this work.
  • The course includes lectures by the Instructor
  • At the end of certain days, the Instructor assigns homework that should take no more than an hour.
  • At the end of the first portion of the course, the Instructor assigns you an exercise where you will make the decision and write a practice award. The Instructor reviews the practice awards and provides feedback to each student. This exercise can take several hours to complete.
  • On the last day, the students view a mock arbitration case. Students are then asked to make and write the award for the case within thirty days after the conclusion of the course. A student must obtain a pass mark of 65 on their award. Students are provided with the marking criteria along with the material for the exam.


INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION FEE

  • The National Introductory Arbitration Course Pre-Course Material (to be completed by students before the start of the course).
  • The National Introductory Arbitration Course Course Manual.
  • The textbook A Portable Guide to Evidence by Michael Doherty.
  • Power Points, Resources, Exercises and other handouts for the Course.
  • The Arbitration Act of Saskatchewan - please download it from here: http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/A24-1.pd


INSTRUCTORS
Rodger Linka, C.Arb
 Daniel Shapiro, Q.C., C.Arb
Our trainers, Rodger Linka and Dan Shapiro, collectively have over 30 years of Arbitration and Adjudication experience to their credit.


Note: The ADR Institute of Canada National Introductory Training Programs are delivered exclusively through highly qualified Trainers who have been accredited by the ADR Institute of Canada to deliver the programs.

COURSE FEES & REGISTRATION (2023)
ADR Institute Members: $2,895 (plus applicable taxes)
Non-Members: $2,995 (plus applicable taxes)
 
REGISTRATION
Register here.
View our Registration protocol.

CANCELLATION POLICY (2023)
Request for cancellation must be received in writing. Requests received on or prior to September 29, 2023 receive a full refund less a $200 administration fee; after September 29, 2023, receive a full refund less a $750 administration fee.