As of March 1, 1998, users of Small Claims Court at Robson Square Provincial Court and Surrey Provincial Court have the opportunity to participate in early, free mediation. Mediations will last for approximately two hours, and parties will be assisted in preparing the appropriate court form for any agreement they reach at mediation. The opportunity to elect mediation will arise once a reply is filed, except in personal injury claims, where the parties will be asked to wait until after the Certificate of Readiness is filed. Parties may also elect mediation following a Settlement Conference. For further information, call 684-1300.

This article was published in the April 1998 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2006, all rights reserved.