Arbitrations & Workplace Services
Independent. Experienced. Procedurally Fair.
Disputes in the public, private and non-profit sectors require resolution that are both impartial and informed by deep legal knowledge. Litigation through court processes is not the only option. Arbitration may be the answer where:
- parties want a private proceeding for reputational or business confidentiality purposes;
- parties prefer a flexible process tailored to the dispute at issue;
- speed; and
- finality in circumstances in which an appeal may be limited.
Parties can choose arbitration after a dispute has arisen, even if there is no arbitration clause in their contract.
Maureen Jickling has over 30 years experience managing conflict through litigation and alternative resolution processes and through negotiations. Maureen offers arbitration and adjudication services that reflect a strong commitment to fairness and principled decision-making. Whether the issue involves a workplace conflict, a governance breakdown, a family dispute, or a contractual disagreement, Maureen provides trusted and neutral leadership in resolving complex matters with care and clarity.
Maureen is a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and achieved her Qualified Arbitrator (Q.Arb) designation in 2025.
Maureen’s Rosters
- Maureen is a Federal Governor-in-Council appointment to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) Dispute and Appellate Rosters of Panelists (December 2023 to date).
- ADRIC’s rosters
- Maureen was recognized by Saskatchewan’s Minister of Justice as a family arbitrator (2025)
Arbitration Services
Maureen is available to serve in the following capacities:
Panel Arbitrator
Serving as a neutral member of a three-person arbitration panel or as a chair, including on matters requiring:
- Balanced interpretation of law and policy
- Fair weighing of evidence
- Clear, enforceable written decisions
Such as:
- Board of Education’s Boards of Reference
- Review of student intensive needs programming
- Conciliation Boards
- Municipal Boards of Revision
- Grievance Arbitrations
Sole Arbitrator
Leading the dispute resolution process from intake through decision in matters such as:
- Integrity Commissioner services
- Employment disputes (unionized or non-unionized)
- Education-related conflicts
- Contractual or inter-organizational disagreements
- Family arbitrations relating to parenting disputes with a special expertise in children and dependent adults with disabilities
Areas of Specialization
Maureen’s arbitration and adjudication work is informed by professional and personal experience in:
- Education law: including student and staff accommodations, discipline, and board governance
- Workplace law: including harassment, investigations, and constructive dismissal
- Human rights: with a focus on procedural fairness and intersectional analysis. Intersectionality refers to the unique combination of characteristics such as ability, race, and gender that shape each individual’s experiences and opportunities.
- Municipal, board and non-profit governance: interpreting and applying bylaws, codes of conduct, and jurisdictional considerations.
- Family law: addressing issues relating to parenting/caregiver complex health and education decisions with complex family units. Maureen has special expertise in addressing issues affecting children and dependent adults with disabilities with a particular expertise in matters affecting neurodivergent individuals.
Decisions are structured to be:
- Legally sound and policy-informed
- Respectful of parties’ procedural rights
- Timely delivered with reasoning and clarity
Why Choose Maureen?
- Impartial: No hidden interests—only clear, balanced rulings
- Public-sector fluent: Deep understanding of government frameworks, legislation, and accountability
- Skilled in sensitive contexts: Comfortable handling high-stakes, reputational, or politically charged matters
- Transparent process: Ensures all parties understand timelines, expectations, and the decision-making framework
Formats Offered
Maureen offers flexible formats to meet the needs of parties and institutions:
- In-person arbitration and hearings
- Virtual or hybrid proceedings using secure platforms
- Written-only arbitration or expedited processes where appropriate
/ Get in touch
Let’s Connect
To inquire about Maureen’s availability for arbitration or roster appointment or to discuss whether arbitration is the right fit for your dispute, please contact Maureen here.
CV and arbitration portfolio available on request.
Workplace Restoration
Maureen offers Workplace Restoration services to support culture change in workplaces in an effort to heal workplace trauma. Workplace trauma can arise from many situations but it often occurs following conflict which may include an investigation or grievance in a workplace. The objective of Workplace Restoration is to increase trust in a workplace through collaborative efforts by staff and management. Maureen’s role in the Workplace Restoration process is to be omnipartial — she is to be on everyone’s side.
When is it appropriate to use Workplace Restoration?
It is appropriate to use Workplace Restoration following
- investigations
- significant changes
- organizational health assessments
- grievance/arbitrations
- strikes/lockouts.
Workplace Restoration processes are not appropriate
- as a substitute for discipline
- where there are significant power imbalances
- where management is not open to change or critique
- where union leadership is not supportive of the process.
Workplace Fairness Assessments
Maureen offers Workplace Fairness Assessments (WFAs) which is a diagnostic and capacity-building tool designed to help entities identify cultural, systemic, or structural fairness issues before they escalate into formal complaints, grievances, or litigation.
WFAs provide a proactive and non-adversarial review of workplace dynamics, policies, and practices, with a focus on:
- Psychological safety
- Respectful workplace culture
- Policy clarity and procedural fairness
- Conflict resolution systems and leadership alignment
What’s Included:
- Consultations by various methods including focus groups or anonymous surveys
- Policy and practice review through a legal and fairness lens
- Risk identification and mitigation strategies
- Practical recommendations rooted in law, governance, and human rights
- Optional follow-up training, policy redrafting, or facilitated workshops
Who Should Use Workplace Fairness Assessments?
- School boards, municipalities, public sector and other private and non-profit entities navigating internal friction, cultural risk, or low trust situations
- Leadership teams seeking to meet duty-of-care obligations and reduce conflict
- Organizations aiming to support retention, compliance, and psychologically safe workplaces
Maureen’s legal expertise, combined with a non-punitive, system-aware approach, makes her assessments uniquely constructive with solutions that focus on fair systems and processes.