What is the Step Arbitration Chamber?
The Step Arbitration Chamber offers private arbitration in Ontario. A neutral arbitrator hears and decides family, civil, and commercial disputes under Ontario’s arbitration laws.
Parties and counsel present evidence and submissions in a structured hearing. The arbitrator then issues a written, binding decision called an award.
The Chamber follows clear procedures and defined timelines, much like a streamlined court hearing. However, hearings take place in private, with flexible scheduling and a process that suits each case. It is not a public court. Instead, it provides a formal decision-making process under Ontario’s arbitration framework.
A formal hearing process, without the delays of court.
Who is the Arbitration Chamber for?
The Chamber serves parties who want a clear, binding decision without full litigation, including:
Separating or separated spouses needing decisions on support, property, or parenting within Ontario’s family arbitration rules.
Businesses and professionals facing contract, partnership, shareholder, debt, or service disputes.
Co-owners and family members in property or estate-related conflicts.
Individuals and organizations who agree to use arbitration instead of court for eligible disputes.
Why choose the Step Arbitration Chamber?
Consider these five reasons to choose the Chamber for your dispute:
1: Determinative Like Court
The Chamber provides a formal hearing and a binding decision, giving closure when negotiation alone is not enough.
2: Private And Confidential
Hearings and decisions take place in a private setting, not an open courtroom, which can be important for family, business, and reputationally sensitive matters.
3: Faster And More Flexible
The Chamber coordinates scheduling with parties and counsel. This helps avoid many of the delays and adjournments common in litigation. It also tailors procedures to the complexity of the case.
4: Cost-Conscious And Predictable
The Chamber is not free, but its streamlined process and managed timelines can make it more cost-effective than a full court action, especially when considering time, adjournments, and multiple appearances.
5: Subject-Matter Expertise
The Chamber selects arbitrators for their experience in family, civil, and commercial disputes. Their focused knowledge supports fair, practical decisions.
How arbitration in Ontario works
1: Initial Consultation
A brief consultation to understand the dispute, confirm that arbitration is appropriate, and review the Chamber’s process and costs.
2: Suitability & Screening
For family matters, the process includes required screening for power imbalances and domestic violence. This screening helps confirm suitability under Ontario’s family arbitration rules.
3: Arbitration Agreement
The parties sign a tailored arbitration agreement. It defines the issues, process, timelines, and the arbitrator’s authority. The agreement follows Ontario’s Arbitration Act, 1991 and, where applicable, family arbitration regulations.
4: Case Management Conference
A conference to set schedules, disclosure requirements, and procedural directions, so counsel and parties know exactly how the matter will proceed.
5: Hearing
A formal hearing (in-person or virtual) where parties and counsel present evidence and submissions. The process resembles a court hearing. However, the arbitrator can streamline it to suit the case while keeping the hearing fair and neutral.
6: Written Award
The arbitrator issues a written award with reasons, setting out the decision on each issue. The award aims to provide a final, binding decision. However, any appeal or review rights available under Ontario law still apply.
Ready for a clear path to resolution?
Find out whether the Step Arbitration Chamber is right for your dispute.
Start with a free 30-minute consultation about arbitration in Ontario for your family, civil, or commercial matter. We will review whether arbitration is appropriate and explain the Chamber’s process and costs, so you can understand the next steps.
Have questions before booking? Contact Step Mediators to discuss your next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is arbitration in Ontario suitable for?
The Chamber serves parties seeking a clear, binding decision in eligible family, civil, and commercial disputes. For example, this includes separating spouses, businesses, and co-owners or family members in property or estate-related conflicts. Before proceeding, the Chamber reviews suitability. Family matters also require screening for power imbalances and domestic violence.
How is arbitration different from going to court?
Arbitration provides a formal hearing where parties and counsel present evidence and submissions to a neutral arbitrator. Unlike an open courtroom, hearings take place in a private setting. The Chamber coordinates scheduling with the parties and counsel. It also tailors procedures to the case.
Is the arbitrator’s decision binding?
The arbitrator issues a written decision, called an award, with reasons addressing each issue. The award aims to provide a final, binding decision. However, any appeal or review rights available under Ontario law still apply.
Is the arbitration process private?
Hearings and decisions take place in a private setting rather than an open courtroom. This can be important for family, business, and reputationally sensitive matters.
Can the hearing take place online?
Yes. Hearings can take place in person or virtually. The arbitration agreement and case management conference set out the process and schedule. As a result, parties and counsel know how the matter will proceed.
How much does arbitration in Ontario cost?
During the initial consultation, we review the Chamber’s process and costs. Arbitration is not free, but streamlined procedures and managed timelines can make it more cost-effective than a full court action, particularly when considering delays, adjournments, and multiple appearances.
How do I get started?
Begin with an initial consultation to discuss the dispute, review whether arbitration is appropriate, and understand the process and costs. If the matter proceeds, the parties sign a tailored arbitration agreement covering the issues, process, timelines, and the arbitrator’s authority.
