1.
Online Tools are the New Norm
for Mediation Lawyers in the
COVID-19 Crisis

2.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused chaos across the globe as
corporate and industry bosses scrambled to diversify how they
do business to keep themselves in the game.
Many businesses have massively reduced their hours and
output, and others have been forced to close completely. The
legal profession was forced to look for more creative ways to
be able to do business and mediation lawyers have been
turning to technology to help keep on top of their alternative
dispute resolution workload.

3.
According to Law.com, mediation lawyers have been using video
software like Zoom, BlueJeans, WebEx, Samba and Lifesize to
try to keep on top of cases and carry out what firms are calling
‘virtual mediation’ or ‘remote attendance mediation’.

4.
Day to day work cannot be put on hold indefinitely due to the
crisis, so the use of these platforms has meant that parties could
maintain social distancing, protect everyone from infection and
carry on with business as usual.

5.
Legal teams have been using online meeting software for many
years to cut down on travel expenses, but it has not been as
common for mediation as this form of legal work very much
relies on the different parties coming together to resolve their
conflict or disputes.

6.
As most of the platforms now have break out rooms, this is what
mediators are using to be able to host different parties in different
online rooms. This means that there can be a group discussion
and the opportunity for the clients and their lawyers to talk
privately. The mediator can go in between the different meeting
rooms as necessary.

7.
Skeptics criticize that the whole point of mediation is to be able
to read body language and mood in the same room as the parties
and raised concerns about security. But many lawyers stand firm
that a good mediator can still pick up on facial expressions and
any visual signs through video calls.

8.
Just since the pandemic breakout, the technology has been
increased to introduce mandatory passwords for attendees and
features like waiting rooms, so only people who are allowed on
the call can actually gain access. The truth is, online mediation
sessions are helping mediators to become even more efficient
with their time.

9.
The founding father of online dispute resolution Colin Rule has
been named as President and CEO of Mediate.com this week.
The former PayPal and eBay online mediation expert has taken
up the post at a poignant time for online mediation in the midst of
the COVID-19 crisis.
Mediate.com has one of the most comprehensive online libraries
of dispute resolution resources. Mr Rule said that he was looking
to help businesses and organizations across the world to take
what they have learned from online resolution during the
pandemic and evolve it to the next level over the next 10 years.

10.
As the world emerges out of lockdown in the COVID-19 crisis,
business bosses are predicting an unprecedented need for
mediation as companies struggle with cashflow, contract
fulfilment and delivery.
Companies are being urged to consider using a mediation lawyer
when disputes arise to iron out the differences in a more amicable
manner.

11.
The corona virus crisis has changed the way people run their lives
and behave. Many have been isolated for long periods. Others
have lost their jobs and are struggling to pay the bills and to feed
their families. The impact of these factors on their mental health
is dramatic. It has made many very wary of who they are
meeting, what interaction they are having and whether they will
spread the disease as a result of meeting others outside their
family and friends’ network.

12.
Some might have to consider the use of public transport during
this crisis period and whether they want to expose themselves to
this risk. And if parties are in different states or cities, then it
makes it even harder to travel with restrictions in place.

13.
These stresses add to the pressure someone would be suffering
from the conflict they are trying to resolve, so online mediation
opportunities eradicate those other factors we have come to
consider in this new ‘normality’.
Online mediation is giving people the flexibility and peace of
mind to resolve their conflicts and disputes in a timely fashion
and limit the stress and anxiety that comes with it.

14.
Contact details
Lichtblau Law Office
Address: 499 Wilson Heights Blvd, Toronto,ON, M3H 2V7
Phone: 416-633-2465
Fax: 416-398-3369
Website: https://lichtblaulaw.com/mediation/