Mediate BC s 2015 Survey of Roster Mediators. Summary of Key Results

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1 Mediate BC s 215 Survey of Roster Mediators Summary of Key Results In the spring of 215, 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 213) How many mediations did they conduct during 214? Civil Family Workplace # respondents Total Range 1 to 18 1 to to 4 Average Median What percentage of mediations involved at least one participant who was not represented by counsel? % Civil 4 Family 64 Workplace 65 1

2 What was the mix of issues in CIVIL mediations? Rankings (1 = most common) Personal Injury 1 2 Employment 2 5 Business/Consumer 3 1 Wills & Estates 4 4 Rest. Justice 5 14 Other 6 3 Insurance 7 9 Community 7 11 Housing, Real estate, strata 8 7 Prof complaints/negligence 8 8 public institutions 9 6 elder care 1 1 finances / taxation rights / identity - 12 Interpretation: in 214, mediators reported that the 3 rd most common type of issue they encountered was business/consumer. Restorative Justice issues jumped from 14 th to 5 th. What was the mix of issues in FAMILY mediations? Rankings (1 = most common) Parenting arrangements 2 2 Child support 3 3 Spousal support 5 4 Division of assets/debts 1 1 other 4 5 To what extent are mediators using technology tools? % 214 % 213 Civil 9 7 Family 4 1 Workplace

3 How much does mediation cost? The first question was mediator hourly rates (comparing 214 to 213). Average Hourly Rates $239 $25 $256 $235 $226 $198 Civil Family Workplace avg hourly rates 214 avg hourly rates 213 The next question was average total cost to completion. Average Total Mediation Fees to Completion $3,44 $1,951 $1,98 $1,658 $1,391 $1,377 Civil Family Workplace avg total cost 214 avg total cost 213 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 214 compared to 213. 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 214 survey compared to the 213 survey (53% compare to 48%). 3

4 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 % Resolved all Not all but progress Resolved none Family Mediation Resolution Rate % Resolved all Not all but progress Resolved none Workplace Mediation Resolution Rate % Resolved all Not all but progress Resolved none

5 What was the average duration of the mediation process? Avg # of weeks Civil 8 Family 14 Workplace 5 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 213. How satisfied were participants with the mediation process and outcomes? Participant Satisfaction Rates % Process Outcome # respondents Note the small sample size (n=16) 5

6 Based on your experience in 214, what do you predict will be the primary growth areas for mediation in the next five years? # responses % family mediation / court connected Wills / estates / succession planning 1 16 workplace / employment / OHS 1 16 Elder care 8 13 online mediation / technology 5 8 commercial 3 community mediation 2 environmental / remediation 2 all 2 small business 1 child protection 1 personal injury 1 strata disputes 1 no idea 1 61 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 6