CONSTRUCTION LAW
Protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.
Whether your construction project is already underway and things are heating up onsite, or you are about to take on something new, our experienced advice will help keep you on track to complete the project on time and on budget. Avoiding, what could be, many potential legal pitfalls along the way.
Construction law is a complex and constantly evolving area of the law. It is made up of difficult to interpret legislation and a myriad of judicial decisions.
Every project participant benefits from experienced legal advice. We are here to help make sense of it all, so you can make sound legal and business decisions. Let Synthesis Legal’s staff give legal clarity to your projects before they’re caught in the red.
CIVIL LITIGATION
( In Court )
You’re not alone. Let us do the messy work.
Sometimes, disputes get messy. If a disagreement cannot be resolved through negotiation, Mediation or arbitration, then parties must turn to the Courts for a binding decision to their legal dispute. While the vast majority of claims will settle prior to trial, there are many steps in the litigation that take place and bring parties closer to a settlement. Steps include filing legal claims in the Court, exchange of evidence, examinations under oath about the evidence, interim Court applications, exchanges of “formal offers” with cost consequences, and more. At the end of the day, trial is where some disputes are ultimately resolved.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
( Out of court )
No one wants a dispute. Leave it to the pros to guide you to a resolution.
If there is disagreement about something, there are ways to resolve the dispute that can be much less stressful and achieve a more beneficial outcome. We can: employ strategic negotiation techniques to solve matters at an early stage; implement a trained unbiased mediator for more complex disputes; or involve a neutral third-party such as an Arbitrator to make a final, binding decision.
MEDIATION SERVICES
Mediation is a process by which a trained, independent, unbiased third party (the “Mediator”) meets with the parties to assist with the negotiation process. Mediators are trained in helping the parties break through a negotiation dead-lock, and to identify possible solutions that may not have been considered. Mediators are not decision-makers, and if there is no agreement, the discussions remain confidential and non-binding. However, if a consensus is reached, it will form the basis for an agreement between the parties, which is enforceable moving forward.
Mediators can assist the parties to the dispute on their own, or with the parties’ own legal counsel present. This is often advisable in more complex disputes, so that the parties can get independent legal advice on their positions as the Mediation takes place. As a Mediator is a neutral third party, they cannot give legal advice to either side. Once an agreement is tentatively reached, the Mediator will advise the parties to each seek legal advice to ensure that they properly understand the arrangement before they sign-off.
Stephanie has completed over 100 hours of Mediation training and is recognized by the Law Society of British Columbia as a certified Mediator and is a volunteer Mediator with Mediate BC. Having 15 years of experience in all areas of civil litigation (construction, employment, commercial, personal injury, etc.), Stephanie accepts mediation assignments to act as a Mediator in disputes.
She also regularly acts as legal counsel to parties attending a Mediation.
Stephanie is experienced in conducting Mediation both electronically over Zoom, or in person. She is conveniently located in Port Moody and is willing to travel throughout the greater Vancouver area, or is happy to host Mediations at her home-base in Port Moody.
Legal services are provided through our law corporation. Nothing on this webpage is legal advice for you, but we would welcome the opportunity to discuss further.