Meet our instructor and learn more about what to expect with online arbitration training.
Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution: Accredited Online Arbitration Certificate
Gain a solid foundation in arbitration law and procedure. Learn how to conduct a full arbitration hearing and write an arbitration award. Prepare to achieve your Qualified Arbitrator (Q. Arb) designation.
The Role of Arbitration in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Arbitration is a popular form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Other forms of ADR include mediation, negotiation, and facilitation. Arbitration is different from these models in several key ways:
- The arbitrator functions like a judge, reviewing evidence and hearing arguments
- An arbitration hearing is like a trial, but generally less formal
- Unlike mediation, the arbitrator’s final decision is usually legally binding
Accredited Online Arbitration Certificate—Overview
The Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution certificate is a 10-week online course that fully prepares students to oversee hearings, decide outcomes, and write arbitration awards.
In this course you will learn:
- Canadian arbitration law and procedure
- Tort law, contract law, and the rules of evidence
- Structure and process of arbitration hearings
- How to conduct an online arbitration hearing
- Techniques for managing power imbalances and maintaining neutrality
- Standard approaches to writing arbitration awards
- Codes of conduct, ethics, law, and compliance for arbitrators in Canada
- At the end of your course will take the Q.Arb exam.
Arbitration Mock Trial and Role Play—Practical Component
The accredited Arbitration and Dispute Resolution certificate includes 14 hours of mandatory mock trials and role plays. This practical component will hone your skills and prepare you to arbitrate real disputes. Role play is a mandatory requirement for earning the Qualified Arbitrator (Q. Arb) designation.
Using video conferencing and online discussion, students will participate in:
- Role plays on arbitration law and ethics
- Role plays on applying arbitration principles
- Role plays on pre-hearing conferences and rules of procedure
- A 3-hour mock arbitration
Career Options in ADR and Arbitration
Arbitration is used to settle a wide variety of disputes, including labour relations, business and consumer disputes, sports, construction, international trade deals, and family conflicts.
Graduates of the Accredited Arbitration certificate:
- Meet the training requirement (40 hours) outlined by ADRIC and ADRIO to pursue the Qualified Arbitrator (Q. Arb) designation
- May find work as independent arbitrators
- May join an ADR and arbitration firm
- Enhance professionals skills that are relevant in their current career
Click to read our post about arbitration training and careers.
Course Schedule and Format
Instructor Led Format
(Synchronous Components)
Instructor Led courses follow a set class schedule with a dedicated Instructor and classmates. Students can work on assignments and readings when it works best for their schedule. The Instructor posts in the discussion forum and hosts live online lectures (via conference and/or video call). Students can use those opportunities to discuss assignments, industry topics etc. with their Instructor and peers.
The Instructor Led format offers increased engagement, opportunity for discussion and requires students to complete assignments and participate in live lectures on a weekly basis.
Note: This Instructor Led course require mandatory participation in weekly role-play and mock hearing scenarios.
The mandatory role play and mock hearing sessions via video conference call take place Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 PM– 8:30 PM EST. Please note these times and days are subject to change with notice. In the event a student misses a mandatory session alternative arrangements may be made available.
2 weeks (40 hours)
The Introduction to Arbitration Law in Canada online arbitration course will provide a detailed look at arbitration and its various processes. The Provincial Arbitration Acts will be reviewed that are applicable to students’ jurisdictions. International Arbitration Law will be discussed as will the Commercial Arbitration Act. Students will understand the legal regulation of the arbitration of disputes in Canada, including the standard for judicial review of arbitration decisions. Students will be instructed on how to draft an arbitration agreement between parties. Students will identify and apply natural justice principles that are inherent to arbitration. A 4-hour mandatory role play will include conducting a pre-hearing conference call and presiding over a mock arbitration focusing on standard rules of procedure in a hearing. (4 hours mandatory Role Play)
2 weeks (40 hours)
It is fundamental that all arbitrators understand the legal system; Students will be provided with an overview of tort law and contract law, and how it relates to the arbitration process. The legal test of “balance of probabilities” will be examined The rules of evidence will be introduced including admissibility, the role of the Charter of Rights and Freedom in excluding certain types of evidence, and the standard of “balance of probabilities.” In the Administrative Law online arbitration course students will demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to apply the principles and law relevant to the settlement through arbitration of disputes, by participation in online discussion and role plays. (4 hours mandatory Role Play)
2 weeks (40 hours)
Students will gain an understanding of the questioning, cross-examination, and redirect of witnesses. The difference between an inquisitorial and adversarial approach to evidence, subpoenas, drawing negative inferences, affidavits, expert witnesses, and other types of evidence. In the Law of Evidence in Canada online arbitration course students will learn about legal precedent and the role of legislation and case law in reaching a decision as well as how to record evidence, note writing, and properly managing exhibits and evidence. The students will also learn the basics of writing an arbitration award in both points based and narrative based structure.
2 weeks (40 hours)
In the Conducting an Arbitration Hearing online arbitration course students will gain detailed insight into the structure of an arbitration hearing and understand the formal process. They will apply the ADR standard of practice and be coached on how to oversee an arbitration hearing that respects the philosophies of impartialness, collaboration, dealing with power imbalances, and confidentiality. This course includes a major mock arbitration hearing. Students will be required to attend and must write and submit a decision regarding the hearing. (3 hour mock Arbitration Hearing)
2 weeks (40 hours)
The Laws and Ethics online arbitration course will focus on ethical compliance and obligations for Arbitration and compliance regarding regulations and codes of conduct in Canada. The purpose of this course is to teach the fundamentals of the Code of Professional Conduct from the Canadian Bar Association and the Code of Ethics from ADR Canada, to provide an overview of the importance of transparency, disclosure, and rules which are important for arbitration to maintain legal legitimacy and to discuss arbitrator-client conflicts of interest, complaints process, competency and credentialing of Arbitrators in Canada. The role play will focus on practical issues that arise in arbitration such as preliminary objections, objections to jurisdiction, and dealing with common ethical dilemmas to develop students to be able to perform the duties of an arbitrator without any apprehension of bias or conflict of interest. (3 hours mandatory Role Play)
4 hours
This four hour workshop will be scheduled on specific days/times within your certificate. Read an interview with our Instructor to learn more. The year 2020 has seen a permanent change to many workplace environments with numerous businesses moving to an internet-based workplace. While mediations have traditionally been conducted in person, online dispute resolution has actually been employed in various mediation settings for decades. Recent free or affordable technology in video conferencing as well as high speed internet connections has made online mediation attractive even without the obvious social distancing protection. Learn the pro and cons of online dispute resolution and areas of particular importance that include:
- Security of transmission of documents
- Signed agreements- including agreements specific to online mediation – DocuSign
- Confidentiality – no one listening in. – no taping of session
- Security of platform
- Various platforms
- Bandwidth and streaming requirements and how to manage ‘lags’
- Using the technology to your advantage…..ie break out rooms, digital document sharing
- Teaching techno challenged individuals on how to use the technology
- Pre-mediation Technical check in
- Waiting rooms and closing the conferencing doors
Also learn about some of the various conferencing platforms such as:
- Go To Meeting
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Cisco
- Free vs. purchased web conferencing software
- Understanding open source software and closed source software
Instructors
Meet our industry-expert Instructors.

Parenting Coordinator | Facilitator | Mediator | Arbitrator
Click to read our blog interview with Kat
Kat has been working with people in conflict for 17 years. She has a diverse practice providing parenting coordination, mediation, arbitration, med-arb, circles, restorative justice, assessment, coaching and facilitation; always with an emphasis on relationship building and working across differences. Her main area of focus is working with families and groups with complex circumstances such as high conflict, trauma or mental health challenges, addiction, involvement with the legal system or intercultural issues. She also provides the full range of her services by distance. She designs and provides training on mediation and conflict resolution skills, trauma informed practice, sexualized violence prevention, and family violence screening.
She is a Chartered Arbitrator and Mediator certified by ADR Canada, a Comprehensive Family Mediator certified by Family Mediation Canada, is on the rosters of Mediate BC, the BC Hear the Child, and the BC Parenting Coordinator Roster Society. She has a Bachelor of Social Work and is just finishing a Master of Social Work with a Clinical Specialization. Kat received her Certificate in Conflict Analysis and Management and her Certificate in Family Mediation from The Institute of Conflict Analysis and Management with an emphasis on Conflict in Organizations and Group Facilitation Skills. She received her Certificate in Arbitration from the ADRBC (formerly BCAMI). She is former President Elect of the Board of Directors of Family Mediation Canada, the Vice-President of the BC Parenting Coordinator Roster Society, is on the Board of University of Victoria Alumni Association is a former member of the Board of Directors of ADRBC.

Click here to read an interview with Andy and learn more about Arbitration careers and training
Andy Livingston is the CEO of Dexterity Consulting. He is passionate about making the world more accessible for all. His expertise, mediation skills and work on accessibility accommodation issues are highly sought after.
Born with cerebral palsy, Andy’s parents were initially told by doctors that he would have difficulty integrating into society. Despite this early assessment, Andy went on to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan with a Double Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology; and, a Masters Degree in Sociology. Andy brings a unique perspective of lived experience to his work. As a wheelchair user, he is able to easily relate to people with disabilities and to organizations trying to improve accessibility at all levels.
During his time at the University of Saskatchewan, he participated in a number of groups aimed at making campus more accessible for people with disabilities. Following his Masters Degree, Andy worked as an Investigator/facilitator with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission for nearly ten years. During this time, Andy led numerous multi-party mediations and facilitations.
Over the last 20 years, Andy’s career focused on helping people improve their citizenship within society by allowing them greater levels of participation within their chosen communities. During his tenure with the Human Rights Commission, Andy was instrumental on noteworthy accessibility projects including the new Mosaic Stadium in Regina, and work on accessible transit in Regina and Saskatoon.
Most recently, Andy completed the educational components for his Qualified Arbitrator (Q.Arb) and Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designations to further complement his years of experience in the human rights field.
Andy is a member of Alternative Dispute Resolution Saskatchewan, the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, and the Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living advisory board through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. Andy has dedicated a number of years to serving on the volunteer boards of SaskAbilities (as President, Vice President and member), and the Canadian Disability Studies Association. In June of 2019, the Saskatchewan Minister of Social Services appointed Andy as a member of the Provincial Income Assistance Advisory Group for Social Services. This new group will provide advice and feedback on the development of income assistance policies, programs and services.

With a degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Education from York University and Arbitration and Mediation Certifications with a focus on Family Law from Kompass, Cheryl has over 17 years of experience working with children and families. She is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers, the Ontario Association of Family Mediation, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Qualified Arbitrator and an Associate Family Mediator with a Q. Arb Standing with both the governing bodies of ADRIC and ADRIO.
Cheryl is a driven Mediator/Arbitrator professional with a strong background in providing conflict resolution. She is resourceful in gathering relevant information regarding disputes, providing appropriate documentation and guiding both individuals and groups to reach satisfactory agreements and settle complicated issues. Cheryl is devoted to adhering to ethical guidelines and laws throughout all casework. She is an empathetic and self-directed therapist with excellent active listening and verbal communication skills, and she facilitates family, couples and individual counseling sessions to help clients pinpoint underlying emotions triggering instability and conflict. Cheryl is excellent in maintaining records and makes excellent written and oral reports concerning client care, counseling and therapeutic activities. Cheryl is a dedicated therapy professional and exceptionally well-versed in performing comprehensive assessments to identify client strengths, needs and overall functioning at micro and macro levels. She is experienced in developing and managing client treatment plans and is committed to establishing goals and objectives to help clients build healthy and positive personal relationships.
Overview
Online Dispute Resolution Workshop
This four hour workshop is available free to those registering for the arbitration certificate
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Certificates and Individual Classes start frequently!
Related Certificates
Accreditation and Recognition
This online Arbitration certificate is recognized and accredited by the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO), and the course meets the educational requirement (40 hours) needed to pursue the Qualified Arbitrator (Q. Arb) designation. Completing an accredited arbitration course streamlines the process for acquiring the Q. Arb certification, which is nationally recognized.
Review a complete list of Q. Arb requirements here.
Who Should Take the Certificate?
Graduates of the Accredited Arbitration Certificate are qualified to:
- Work toward the Qualified Arbitrator (Q. Arb) designation
- Join an ADR and arbitration firm
- Become independent arbitrators
*Please note that some practice areas (such as family arbitration) may require additional credentials. Please consult applicable laws and regulations in your province or territory.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- Post-secondary university degree or college diploma; OR
- Relevant professional experience