About Barry Arbus

Getting to Know Barry Arbus, Q.C.

Arbitrator and Mediator

Meet Toronto lawyer Barry S. Arbus: an experienced member of two well-respected legal organizations, Barry has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience in business and corporate law. His current focus is helping clients to resolve otherwise costly and divisive issues through the process of ADR (alternative dispute resolution) arbitration and mediation.

Fully immersed in domestic and international business law

Barry has a rich and diversified skill-set in business and corporate law, including international acquisitions and merger transactions. He has represented both purchasers and vendors in Canadian business transactions as well as International clients seeking Canadian–based operations and the reverse, Canadian-based industries seeking to expand internationally. The perspective Barry acquired through representing companies from both sides stands him in good stead when he is tasked with adjudicating an unbiased, equitable settlement.

Career education and legal training: all part of the Toronto scene

Barry graduated from the University of Toronto (UofT) with a degree in economics, a field that has served him well in understanding the monetary aspects of the issues and needs of many of his business and corporate clients. Barry then graduated from Osgoode Law School, receiving his L.L.B. and L.L.M. degrees and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1981.

What is the difference between Arbitration or Mediation?

The key difference is that mediated findings are not binding, whereas an arbitrated settlement is. Mediation can lead to dialogue and has the potential to maintain a relationship after the process. Arbitration is more of a finality, without regard for further commerce between the disputants. Mediation can lead to compromise, a good choice if both parties recognize that the other side has some validity to their claims, whereas arbitration is more of a “winner takes all,” approach. Disputants who don’t wish to, or can’t, find a way to dialogue, are confident of their arguments and wish to avoid the significantly higher costs and protracted legal battle of litigation should carefully consider arbitration as their choice of ADR.

Specialized training for mediation and arbitration

More recently, Barry completed ADR training in principled negotiation, a concept developed at Harvard and taught in Toronto by the Stitt Feld Handy Group. Since then, Barry has mediated and arbitrated two-party and multi-party matters for clients representing a wide field of businesses, including the automotive, entertainment, hospitality, food, communications, commodities and agricultural fields.

Extensive list of achievements and professional organizations

Barry’s professional affiliations include the Canadian, Ontario, International and American Bar Associations as well as the Canadian Tax Foundation. He has as also served as President of the International Alliance of Law Firms and on a number of Boards of Directors for companies as well as for charitable organizations. Barry is actively involved in his community and is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Medal in Recognition for Community Service.