Mediation & dispute resolution

Resolve the matter without going to Court.

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential alternative to litigation. I serve as a neutral third-party, helping disputing parties reach an agreement on their own terms, saving the time and money a court process would take.

A fountain pen resting on a sheet of correspondence, side-lit by a window.
  • Experienced Guidance

    A neutral with mediation, drafting, and dispute-resolution experience across a range of civil matters.

  • Confidential Process

    Settlement-privileged communications. Nothing said in mediation is admissible in subsequent proceedings.

  • Impartial Support

    The mediator does not decide. Both parties retain authorship of the agreement throughout.

  • Practical Outcomes

    Workable settlements, captured in a Memorandum of Understanding the parties can act on.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a type of Alternative Dispute Resolution, or ADR. It is a voluntary negotiation process facilitated through a confidential and neutral third-party. Mediation is a way of resolving a dispute other than going to Court, which saves the disputing parties time and money.

The mediator assists disputing parties in resolving conflict through specialized communication and negotiation techniques. The mediator does not make decisions, and the disputing parties can terminate the process at any time.

My Practice

Mediation tailored to your matter.

Mediation can resolve interpersonal disputes in private and public-sector workplaces, conflicts within religious and educational institutions, wills and estates issues, disputes among working groups such as boards and unions, and more.

  • Business & contract

    Commercial disagreements, partnership and shareholder disputes, contract performance and breach, and disputes among working groups including boards and unions.

  • Family

    Parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, property division, and the drafting of a separation agreement when the parties reach agreement.

  • Workplace

    Interpersonal disputes inside private and public-sector organizations, exits, and conflicts within religious or educational institutions.

  • Wills & estates

    Disputes among beneficiaries and executors, contested distributions, and matters that benefit from a settlement reached privately rather than litigated through probate.

How It Works

A simple, structured process.

  1. Initial Inquiry

    A short call or email to understand the matter and complete a conflict-of-interest check before any substantive discussion.

  2. Preparation

    Each side shares a brief and any key documents. We agree on format, location, timing, and any procedural ground rules.

  3. Mediation Session

    We work through the issues in joint sessions and private caucus, looking for terms each side can accept and act on.

  4. Agreement & MOU

    If the parties settle, the agreement is captured in a Memorandum of Understanding, or a separation agreement in family matters.

About the Mediator

Committed to fair, respectful resolution.

I provide a calm, neutral space where each side can be heard, understood, and supported. My role is to help the parties find practical terms they can act on, not to decide who wins.

Spenser Bauchman Mediator

  • Mediation experience across business, family, workplace, and estate matters
  • Committed to neutrality, integrity, and respect for both sides
  • Drafts the Memorandum of Understanding once parties reach agreement
  • Available across the Maritimes and Canada-wide, in-person or virtual

On Authorship

Litigation imposes a result. Arbitration buys you a private one. Mediation lets you keep authorship of it.

Spenser Bauchman

When parties reach an agreement.

When a settlement is reached, the parties are advised to seek independent legal advice before signing. Mediators cannot give legal advice to either side. The agreement is then captured in a Memorandum of Understanding, a document that sets out, in plain terms, what the parties have agreed to.

In family-law matters where the parties reach agreement on parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, or property division, the mediator drafts a separation agreement for the parties to sign.

Ready to move forward?

Email or call to begin the mediation process.