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Digital Transformation of Ontario’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Sector, image of person building a database management system

Digital Transformation of Ontario’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Sector

Written by Saran Davaajargal
June 02, 2022

The global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have abruptly shifted the Ontario Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) sector towards the use of online dispute resolution and virtual platforms for courts, tribunals, and other dispute resolution hearings and processes. To address the need for a database management system that can provide superior client relationship management and client-practitioner engagement, Humber College partnered with the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and recently received the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Engage grant ($25K) for the project “Digital Transformation of Ontario’s ADR Sector.”

The Engage grant will identify new and evolving opportunities and practices in the ADR sector and promote a better understanding of the needs and challenges experienced by all ADR practitioners. It will also enable research, identification, and pilot testing of an online digital tool for data management, which will make ADRIO’s processes more efficient, while addressing the emerging needs of Ontario’s ADR sector. The research project has the potential to transform how ADR practitioners interact with their clients through analyzing and responding to the needs and challenges experienced by ADR practitioners. By identifying new evolving practices, the project will support both emerging and experienced professionals in their growth and development.

Industry Partner

The ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) is a revenue-generating non-profit industry association for practicing and aspiring practitioners of ADR. With a membership of over 900-strong across Ontario, ADRIO strives to enhance the quality and standards of practice in the provincial ADR sector by supporting accreditation and professional development of practitioners, including Mediators, Arbitrators, Adjudicators, Facilitators, and ADR students.

Pramila Javaheri, C.Med, the Executive Director of the ADRIO, shared the following about this partnership with Humber College:

“ADRIO is looking forward to collaborating with Humber College to facilitate the research and identification of an online digital tool. By taking this step to carry out research in this area, it will transform how ADR practitioners interact with their clients, promote a better understanding of the needs and challenges experienced by ADR practitioners, and identify new and evolving practices in the ADR sector that will create a pathway for future development in the ADR field.” – Pramila Javaheri

Two individuals sitting at table reviewing quality and standards of practice in the provincial ADR sector by supporting accreditation nd professional development

Challenge

ADRIO wants to learn more about what is happening in the ADR sector in Ontario. In addition, ADRIO’s current database management system (DMS) has limited functionality to provide client relationship management and related client-practitioner engagement identification. The technical challenge experienced by ADRIO is their limited resources and expertise to change the existing DMS into a more intuitive and accessible customer interface.

Project Leads

The collaboration between ADRIO Committee Members, staff and Humber College ADR students and new graduates serves as the foundation for this research project. Led by Mary Lee as the Principal Investigator and Rameen Sabet as the Co-Investigator, the research team comprises experienced researchers and ADR professionals with a combined 35 years of professional and academic experience in the ADR sector.

Mary Lee is the Program Coordinator and Professor in the Faculty of Business at Humber College, where she is responsible for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Graduate Certificate Program. She holds the position of Chair with the Toronto Licensing Tribunal. Mary also has a long and distinguished career in the administrative justice sector and the Ontario Public Service, where she held numerous roles in her career working for the provincial government ministries, boards and tribunals.

Mary is thrilled about the collaborative nature of the project; she stated:

“The applied research project is a wonderful learning opportunity for Humber students to work alongside ADRIO in the advancement of the ADR sector in Ontario.”—Mary Lee

Rameen Sabet is a Professor in the Faculty of Business at Humber College, teaching in both the ADR Graduate Certificate Program and Paralegal Diploma Program. Rameen spent nearly ten years working in Tribunals Ontario, as a Mediator and Program Advisor. He holds a Master of Public Policy, Administration, and Law from York University, where he focused his major research on evaluating the effectiveness of Ontario adjudicative tribunals.

Here is what Rameen shared with us about the research project:

“Over the past quarter century, ADR methods have become the primary mechanisms for resolving legal and regulatory disputes in Ontario. ADR professionals are represented in almost every industry in Ontario. Yet the data and research we have in Ontario to move this industry forward is limited. A study of this kind has never been undertaken in Ontario and we are excited to make this contribution for ADR professionals and service recipients. With the support of ADRIO, Humber College, and our fantastic research team, we know this research study will have a lasting impact on the future of dispute resolution in Ontario.”—Rameen Sabet

Student Involvement

Six Humber ADR students, Alexis Lau, Joya Mukherjee, Oliver Mercer-Smail, Rochelle Cherian, Jessica Perri, and Mariah Venestra, are participating in the research project. They are involved in various phases of the process, from preparing the grant application and creating methodology to synthesizing the study findings and the final report. The students will develop a multi-faceted understanding of the field of ADR through their participation. As a result, they will be career-ready citizens with an increased awareness of the potential avenues they can pursue in the field of ADR.

One of the research assistants, Alexis Lau, shared the following about participating in the project:

“Working on an applied research project with Humber’s ADR faculty has been the highlight of my academic experience. I am a lifelong learner and continually seek out opportunities that broaden my understanding of our professions and communities. When the opportunity to work with Professor Mary Lee on this seminal research study came about, I jumped at the chance. This was not only a way for me to learn more about the field of ADR in Ontario but a way for me to contribute to the understanding of the field for all ADR professionals.” —Alexis Lau

Quote by Rameen Sabet. Image of person reviewing information.

Potential for Impact

The research project will guide the digital transformation in the ADR Sector. The project outcomes accomplish two goals: a cost-benefit analysis of the industry and identification of an appropriate digital comprehensive client-practitioner DMS. These two improvements will provide ADRIO with the knowledge needed to meet the needs of the ADR Sector and better serve their clients. This streamlined client-practitioner engagement between new ADR users and practitioners will enable evidence-based policy-making and inform the allocation of resources for seeking out and identifying future business development and employment opportunities.

The benefit to Canada of harnessing ADRIO’s data is robust: better understanding of the ADR sector for employment and professional development opportunities for ADR practitioners, making students more job-ready; improving public awareness and understanding of dispute resolution processes outside of traditional courts and tribunals; and relief for the Canadian court system. On a global level, a wide range of business sectors are also looking at the post-pandemic digital transformation within their lines of business. Canada can pioneer digital transformation and access to justice innovation on a world stage.

Get involved in research projects taking place at Humber today!

 

NSERC signature

We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Nous remercions le Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG) de son soutien.

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