Civil, Corporate/Commercial & Employment Disputes

Private arbitration offers parties a binding adjudicative process outside the public court system, with greater control over procedure, scheduling and the selection of the decision-maker. Robert Karrass is available to arbitrate civil, corporate/commercial and employment disputes, including contractual claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, fiduciary duty claims, business transactions, commercial leasing, professional negligence, wrongful and constructive dismissal, compensation disputes, restrictive covenants and other matters requiring a final determination.

Three Arbitration Streams

Robert offers three arbitration formats designed to match the process to the nature, complexity and value of the dispute.

Motion in Writing

For disputes that can be determined on a documentary record, Robert reviews the evidentiary materials and written submissions filed by the parties and delivers a reasoned decision without an oral hearing.

Oral Motion

For disputes requiring a more developed evidentiary record and oral advocacy, the parties may rely on affidavit evidence, documentary exhibits, examination transcripts and other agreed materials, as appropriate, followed by focused oral submissions before Robert.

Focused Oral Hearing

For disputes requiring viva voce evidence, credibility findings or a fuller evidentiary record, Robert conducts a streamlined oral hearing with witnesses, documentary evidence, cross-examination and oral submissions, tailored to the issues that actually require determination.

A Focused, Practical Approach

Robert structures each arbitration around the issues that genuinely require adjudication, with an emphasis on proportionality, efficiency and procedural fairness. In civil, corporate/commercial and employment disputes, that means identifying the legal and factual questions that will determine the outcome, limiting unnecessary procedural steps, and ensuring that the process remains proportionate to the value and complexity of the matter. The objective is a fair and efficient adjudication culminating in a clear, reasoned and binding determination.

Fee Schedule

Arbitration streamFee
Motion in WritingIncludes up to ten (10) hours for review of the documentary record, written submissions and preparation of the reasons for decision.$5,500
Oral MotionIncludes a half-day oral hearing and up to ten (10) hours for review of the evidentiary record, written materials and preparation of the reasons for decision.$8,000
Focused Oral HearingIncludes one full day of hearing time and up to ten (10) hours for review of the evidentiary record, written materials and preparation of the reasons for decision.$9,850per hearing day

Additional preparation time, where requested by the parties or agreed to in advance as warranted by the complexity or volume of the materials, and any additional time reasonably required to complete the reasons for decision, will be billed at $550.00 per hour.

Unless otherwise agreed, arbitration fees are shared equally between the parties. HST will be added to all invoices.

Arbitration Enquiries

Because the appropriate arbitration process will depend on the nature of the dispute, the evidentiary record and the anticipated hearing time, arbitrations are not booked directly through the online calendar.

Counsel are asked to contact Robert Karrass in advance to discuss the issues to be determined, the most appropriate arbitration stream, the materials to be filed and the anticipated length of the proceeding. Once the process and timing have been agreed upon, an arbitration date can be scheduled.