Mediate BCs 2015 Survey of Roster Mediators

Summary of Key Results

In the spring of 2015, Mediate BC Society issued a survey to mediators on its Civil and
Family Rosters (including the Associate Rosters) to learn more about the use of
mediation in British Columbia. This was the second annual survey.

74 of the 313 Roster Mediators responded

83% of respondents were located in Greater Vancouver and Southern Vancouver
Island (consistent with the first survey)
95% reported that they lived in an urban rather than a rural community
Respondent gender was divided approximately equally between male and
female.
The average respondent age was 54
The average years of mediation experience was 12
53% of respondents reported that law was their primary professional background
(compared to 48% in 2013)

How many mediations did they conduct during 2014?

# respondents
Total
Range
Average
Median

Civil

Family

Workplace

36
887
1 to 180
25
9

22
433
1 to 135
20
10

18
156
1 to 40
9
4

What percentage of mediations involved at least one participant who was not
represented by counsel?
Civil
Family
Workplace

%
40
64
65

What was the mix of issues in CIVIL mediations?

Rankings (1 = most common)
Personal Injury
Employment
Business/Consumer
Wills & Estates
Rest. Justice
Other
Insurance
Community
Housing, Real estate, strata
Prof complaints/negligence
public institutions
elder care
finances / taxation
rights / identity

2014
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
8
8
9
10
11
-

2013
2
5
1
4
14
3
9
11
7
8
6
10
13
12

Interpretation: in 2014, mediators reported that the 3rd most common type of issue they encountered
was business/consumer. Restorative Justice issues jumped from 14th to 5th.

What was the mix of issues in FAMILY mediations?

Rankings (1 = most common)
Parenting arrangements
Child support
Spousal support
Division of assets/debts
other

2014
2
3
5
1
4

2013
2
3
4
1
5

To what extent are mediators using technology tools?

Civil
Family
Workplace

% 2014
9
4
11

% 2013
7
10
4

How much does mediation cost?

The first question was mediator hourly rates (comparing 2014 to 2013).

Average Hourly Rates

300

$239

250

$250

$235

$256

$226

$198

200
150
100
50
0

Civil

Family

avg hourly rates 2014

Workplace

avg hourly rates 2013

The next question was average total cost to completion.

Average Total Mediation Fees to Completion

3500

$3,044

3000
2500
2000
1500

$1,391

$1,980

$1,951

$1,658

$1,377

1000
500
0

Civil

Family
avg total cost 2014

Workplace

avg total cost 2013

The sample sizes are relatively small. It is likely that differences in both sets of
responses are caused by a different mix of mediators in 2014 compared to 2013. We
also reworded the question to take out Court Mediation Program fees as the focus of
the question was the cost to the parties. Also, we note that a higher percentage of
mediators with a legal background responded to the 2014 survey compared to the 2013
survey (53% compare to 48%).

What is the resolution rate for mediation?

The results showed an increase in civil but a slight decrease in both family and workplace:

Civil Mediation Resolution Rate %

100
80

77

68

60
40
16

20

25
7

0
Resolved all

Not all but progress

2014

Resolved none

2013

Family Mediation Resolution Rate %

100
80

76

81

60
40
17

20

17

0
Resolved all

Not all but progress

2014

Resolved none

2013

Workplace Mediation Resolution

Rate %
100
80

72

77

60
40

23

20

20

0
Resolved all

Not all but progress

2014

Resolved none

2013

What was the average duration of the mediation process?

Avg # of weeks
Civil

8
14
5

Family
Workplace

This was a new question. The results compare well to a court process.
How many mediators sought satisfaction feedback from participants?
Only 42% compared to 47% in 2013.
How satisfied were participants with the mediation process and outcomes?

Participant Satisfaction Rates %

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

93
85

80
70

27
16

Process

Outcome
2014

# respondents

2013

Note the small sample size (n=16)

Based on your experience in 2014, what do you predict will be the primary
growth areas for mediation in the next five years?

family mediation / court connected

Wills / estates / succession planning
workplace / employment / OHS
Elder care
online mediation / technology
commercial
community mediation
environmental / remediation
all
small business
child protection
personal injury
strata disputes
no idea

# responses
14
10
10
8
5
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
61

%
23
16
16
13
8

Respondents were able to list more than one area

Other Comments Included:

Not all respondents were full-time private mediators:

o Many mediated within their workplace/employment rather than privately
o Some mediate part-time by choice
Some Civil mediators limit their practice almost entirely to ICBC personal injury
claims. They note that the volume and full resolution rates of ICBC mediations
have decreased significantly