Can ODR Humanize the Justice System? Sir Brian Neill Lecture, SCL, London, England Shannon Salter, CRT Chair December 3, 2018
Can ODR Humanize the Justice System?Sir Brian Neill Lecture, SCL, London, England
Shannon Salter, CRT Chair
December 3, 2018
What is the CRT?
Part of the justice system
1st online tribunal in Canada
Bringing the justice system to the public
Condominium July 2016
Small Claims <$5KJune 2017
Societies & Co-opsEarly 2019
MVA Personal InjuryApril 2019CRT
Jurisdiction
4
Why the CRT? Access to Justice
Access
• Rural parties
• Complexity
• Limited support
Time
• Delays & backlogs at all court levels
Cost
• Travel
• Legal fees
• Court costs
Proportion
• Limited ADR• Few cases go
to trial
Guiding Principles
DIAGNOSIS, INFO
& SELF-HELP
PARTY-TO-PARTY NEGOTIATION
FACILITATION DECISION
Solution
Explorer
Online
discussion
Facilitated negotiation &
decision preparation
Adjudication
1 2 3 4
AutomationDispute Volumes
Seamless, Responsive Design
10
Solution Explorer
• Free public legal information and tools, available 24/7• Guided pathways • Interactive question and answers• Resolution or preparation for CRT process• Quarterly updates on content
Negotiation
• Connects parties so they can start talking
• May be able to work out a payment plan or other agreement
Mediation
• Expert mediators help people reach agreements, turned into tribunal orders
• Choice of how and when to work on dispute
Adjudication• 37 part-time/9 full-time tribunal members
• Experienced lawyers• All over province
• Mostly written hearings
• Plain language reasons
• Enforceable as court order
• Published decisions
Decisions
Participant Satisfaction
63
64
76
84
71
72
79
81
0 20 40 60 80 100
Online Services Easy to Use
Process Easy to Understand
Would Recommend to Others
CRT Treated Me Fairly
% Agree/Strongly Agree Voluntary online survey: April to September 2018
Small Claims Disputes Condominium Disputes
Inclusivity as a Core Value
Test With Advocates
First
Free Telephone
Interpretation
Simple Fee Waivers
Helpers Welcome
Plain Language
Culturally Competent
Staff & MembersDirect Phone
Line for Advocates
Mental Health
Training for Staff
Creating Space for Indigenous
Dispute Resolution
Multiple ways to connect
Accommodate
Special
Needs
Asking for Feedback &
Listening
Preferred Pronouns
More Information
@CivResTribunal@shannonnsalter
facebook.com/CivilResolutionTribunal
www.civilresolutionbc.ca