C8 - Sunday, October 28, 1984 - North Shore News Law sheds light on mediation THE LAW SOCIETY of British Columbia 1s the first in Canada to provide stan- dards and guidelines for lawyers engaging in family law mediation. Family law mediation is a process’ through which couples work through a single lawyer acting impar- tially to reach a ‘‘consensual settlement’” of issues relating to their marnage, separauion or divorce. Jo-Ann Prowse, chauirper- son of a professional stan- dards sub-committee of the Law Society which studied about mediation and the role lawyers will play inthe family mediation process “Mediauion is an alter- native form of resolving disputes upon the breakdown of a marriage,’ she said. “Itis not an alternative for everybody. It will anly work for couples who = senously want to work out their dif- ferences and are prepared to make compromises rather than face the usual adver- sarial approach to separation and divorce. ‘*Mediation should save people time. But, it may or volved to mutually agree on such matters as child custody and access, maintenance and property settlement.”’ Prowse said that once these and other issues are resolved with the help of the impartial third person, the mediator will recommend that each party seek independent legal advice to confirm that they fully understand what they have done in mediation and to ensure that the agreement stands up in court. She stressed that the mediator does not represent either party in seeking an agreement. The mediator’s role is to help the parties reach th ir fown agreement and to make certain that one party does not take unfair ad- vantage of the other. Under guidelines recently established by the Law Socie- ty, lawyers may act. as mediators in family matters if they have been engaged in the practice of law for three years or have been approved by the professional standards com- mittee because of special! qualifications or experience, and have completed a course in mediation approved by the Law Society’s professional standards committee. Prowse said a team from the United States which has been highly successful in in- structing lawyers throughout the U.S. in family law media- tion will conduct the first mandatory training course in B.C. in February, 1985 under the auspices of the Continu- ing Legal Education Society. the issues and made recom- mendations, said there 1s **considerable misunderstan- ding and = misconception’’ may not save them money. That will depend on the cir- cumstances and how long it takes for the individuals in- UARA PRICES - oun PRICE S32:95 RIL J OVER 4 PIECES INCLUDING Gag PAC VALUE — OVER $5 EG $29 Wo NOW OPEN! FOTO GITY 2027 Lonsdale North Vancouver 988-3535 NORTH VANCOUVER Gorilla Fireworks 231 Mountain Highway 1 Blk North of Mtn & Mane. Gorillo Fireworks corner of Pemberton & Manne Across from McDonalds WEST VANCOUVER West Vancouver Cycle 1479 (Clyde Avenue Behind McDonalds Wo Yor Vvver 30 locations on lowe: Mainland meron from wotrdity Dragan Open Every Day 10an. .- $$, - Oct. 25th thru 3131