ONLINE MEETING | Beyond Court: A Q&A Panel on the Practical Use of Arbitration in Family Law
This meeting is being hosted by the Family Law - Vancouver Section.
| Speakers: |
Morag MacLeod, KC, Family Law Lawyer, Mediator, & Arbitrator
Stephen McPhee, KC, Managing Partner, RLR Lawyers |
| Time: |
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 5:30pm - 6:30pm (PT) |
| Fee: |
CBA Member: Free!
Non-CBA Member: $70 (+ GST)
Don't have a CBA account? Create a non-member account to register! |
| CPD Hours: |
1.00 hour (Practice Management) |
Family law arbitration is becoming a more widely used tool for resolving disputes efficiently, privately, and with greater flexibility than the court process. Yet, many lawyers remain hesitant to recommend it to clients. Unanswered questions about suitability, procedure, cost, fairness, and enforceability often stand in the way.
Morag MacLeod, KC, and Stephen McPhee, KC, two experienced family law arbitrators, answer common questions lawyers have about using arbitration in their cases. This discussion focuses on when arbitration is (and is not) a good fit, how the process works in practice, what counsel should know before advising clients, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
This session is interactive and attendees are encouraged to bring their questions and scenarios for candid, practical insight from the arbitrator’s perspective.
You’ll gain insight into:
• How to assess whether a case is well suited for arbitration
• What the arbitration process actually looks like from start to finish
• How arbitration compares to court in terms of procedure, cost, and timing
• The role of counsel before and during arbitration
• Common concerns and misconceptions that prevent lawyers from recommending arbitration
If you’ve ever wondered whether arbitration could work for your file, this is your chance to ask.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This event will be broadcast from the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam First Nations. We encourage members to explore the rich history and knowledge of Indigenous people, and to continue learning about their experience in Canada past and present.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
This meeting is for lawyers, judges, articling students & law students only.
If you are a non-lawyer working in a field related to this meeting, please contact sections@cbabc.org to request attendance. Attendance is granted to non-lawyers on a case by case basis.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please request any accommodations needed in the "Notes" area upon registering. Live captions and transcripts are available for attendees upon request.
We welcome suggestions for enhancing the inclusiveness of our activities. Please contact if you have any questions or recommendations.
LOG-IN INSTRUCTIONS
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