Wednesday, April 20, 2022
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Via ZOOM
Guest Coach: Robert Besunder
Most personal injury mediation resembles a facilitated negotiation more than a traditional interests-based mediation. In addition to the merits of the case being mediated, there are often issues of general policies being advanced by insurance companies that guide their decision-making. There is also the overlay of legislative restrictions to a claimant’s right to seek compensation, at least in the case of a motor vehicle accident. Robert will use a role-play to demonstrate some of the unique dynamics encountered in these mediations, and will explore how mediators can make these mediation sessions productive.
Robert Besunder, B.A., LL.B., Q.Med.
Robert brings an intimate and extensive understanding of litigation and dispute resolution to his mediation and arbitration work. He has operated Besunder Dispute Resolution since 2015.
Robert’s background as a lawyer has focused primarily on insurance and personal injury litigation, with an emphasis on motor vehicle and medical malpractice cases. He brings more than 30 years of experience in representing both injured claimants and insurers and other institutional clients. He has represented clients before all levels of courts in Ontario, and has conducted trials on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, before judges alone and juries. He has appeared numerous times before various administrative and adjudicative tribunals throughout Ontario, and he has frequently represented clients in Alternative Dispute Resolution proceedings, and in particular, private mediations and arbitrations.
In March 2006, Robert was appointed as a Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court, a division of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, for the Central East Region, and since then he has presided over hundreds of trials, motions and settlement conferences.
Robert has completed both the Alternative Dispute Resolution Workshop and the Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution Workshop through the University of Windsor / Stitt Feld Handy Group, Toronto. He regularly participates in continuing education in the area of dispute resolution, including coaching and role playing with JADE Mediation Practice Group, of which he is now in a co-leadership role. He is an active member of the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO), from whom he has received the designation of Qualified Mediator (Q.Med).
Robert is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Toronto Lawyers Association, the York Region Law Association and the Ontario Deputy Judges Association (on which he sits on the Board, currently as Vice President).