The source of Alternative Dispute Resolution information, resources and expertise in Alberta Alberta’s professional association of mediators, arbitrators and other ADR practitioners

Kathryn Oviatt

Designations:

Arbitrator (C.Arb), Arbitrator (Q.Arb)

Oviatt Law

Contact:

780-705-3698
kathryn@oviattlaw.com
https://www.oviattlaw.com
#401, 10408 - 124 Street, Edmonton, AB T5N 1R5

Services Offered

Arbitrator

Location Availability

Calgary Area, Central Alberta, Edmonton Area, North Eastern Alberta, North Western Alberta, Southern Alberta, Out-of-Province

Sectors of Practice

Aboriginal / First Nations, Agriculture, Civil Claims, Community, Condominium, Construction / Engineering, Corporate & Commercial, Education, Employee Assistance Programs, Energy / Oil & Gas, Environment, Faith Groups, Family / Eldercare / Parent & Teen, Family Business, General Practice, Government, Group Facilitation, Healthcare, Insurance Claims, Labour, Land Use, Landlord & Tenant, Non-profit Sector / Societies, Real Estate, Sports, Wills & Estates, Workplace

Biography

Kathryn is an experienced neutral adjudicator who has released more than 100 public decisions, and dozens of private or interim decisions. She is also an experienced mediator in assisting parties to resolve complex disputes.

Kathryn is appointed to the grievance arbitrator roster with Mediation Services for the Province of Alberta and, prior to the federal change in legislation, she was a wrongful dismissal adjudicator under the Canada Labour Code. Kathryn was the Chief of the Commission and Tribunal of the Alberta Human Rights Commission for the interim period of November 2021 to July 2022 and has been the Acting Chief since 2020. She is serving her third term as a tribunal member for the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

In addition to her work in labour and employment law, Kathryn adjudicates contractual and commercial disputes. She is an arbitrator for the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) and a Hearing Panel Member for the Real Estate Council of Alberta. She was a tribunal member for the Subdivision Development Appeal Board for the City of Edmonton and has been appointed arbitrator by Alberta Consumer Services in addressing disputes under the Consumer Protection Act.

Prior to her arbitration practice, Kathryn had an administrative law practice, acting for and before many tribunals including labour arbitrators, the Human Rights Commission, the Privacy Commissioner, the Law Enforcement Review Board, the Ombudsman, and professional regulators. She was also legal counsel to the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.

Kathryn is a firm believer in administrative law as an efficient, transparent and fair adjudicative process. As such, she is committed to releasing arbitration decisions within 90 days and currently does not charge cancellation fees. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kathryn offers both in-person hearings with physical distancing and virtual hearings.

ADR Training & Qualifications

Other Professional Qualifications

2001 BA, with Distinction, University of Alberta
2005 LL.B. with Distinction, University of Alberta