What Is Arbitration

Arbitration is a private, binding dispute-resolution process. The parties choose an arbitrator (often a senior family-law lawyer or retired judge), present their case, and accept the arbitrator's decision as binding.

It is faster than court, more private than court, and often cheaper — but the decision is binding, with limited appeal rights. This article covers when arbitration makes sense and the procedural protections built into Ontario family-law arbitrations.