NOTICE TO THE FAMILY LAW BAR
DISPUTE RESOLUTION OFFICER PROGRAM EMPANELMENT
The Superior Court of Justice, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Attorney General, is seeking candidates to join DRO panels in Barrie, Brampton, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Newmarket, St. Catharines, Toronto and Welland.
The Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) program currently operates in the Superior Court of Justice in Barrie, Brampton, Durham, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Milton, Newmarket, St. Catharines, Toronto and Welland. Applications are open for these locations. The DRO program provides family litigants with an early evaluation of their case by a neutral third party for the purposes of facilitating settlement and narrowing the issues in dispute.
Candidates admitted to the panel will receive compensation on a fee-for-service basis at the rate of $250.00 per day plus HST if applicable.
French-speaking or bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply to the Hamilton, London, Toronto and Welland panels.
Selection criteria include:
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in the practice of family law
- Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario as a barrister and solicitor[1]
- Family law expertise, including negotiation, litigation, and ADR processes
- Advanced knowledge of family court procedures, legislation, and case law
- Exceptional problem solving and dispute resolution skills
- Knowledge of the local family court and its family justice participants including participation in local bench and bar or community liaison committees.
The Application form for admission to the panel is attached.
Send completed Application packages by email to: droempanelment@ontario.ca
The deadline to apply is Friday, January 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. All Applications must be completed in full, including the necessary authorizations and references. Late or incomplete Applications will not be accepted.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening will be contacted.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Please be advised that existing DRO panel members are not required to reapply to remain on the panel.
[1] Retired members may also apply provided that at the time of retirement their license was not suspended. Retired judges may also apply for admission to the panel.