Thomas Dart

Tom was called to the bar in 1976. In the early stages of his career, he practiced as a criminal lawyer, a civil litigation lawyer and a family law lawyer. He now practices only in the area of family law and alternative dispute resolution.

Tom has appeared at all levels of Court in Ontario from Ontario Superior Court of Justice to the Ontario Court of Appeal. He has conducted many trials and many successful negotiations.

Tom is a mediator providing services on contract to the Mediation Centre, Barrie and as a private mediator. Tom has assisted many mediation clients in resolving their disputes on a comprehensive basis - settling custody and access issues as well as financial issues such as property division and support.

Tom also has experience as an Arbitrator of family law disputes, appointed by parties who wish to resolve their disputes privately under the Arbitration Act. In his capacity as a member of the Huronia Alternative Court (an association of experienced lawyers who provide mediation and arbitration services), Tom has provided Arbitration services to several parties and their lawyers. Arbitration can prove an effective and cost efficient method of resolving any family law dispute and Tom is committed to alternatives to dispute resolution such as this.

Tom has presented many topics at continuing legal education seminars for the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Upper Canada. He has written articles for presentation at such seminars and for other newsletters and periodicals in the area of family law.

Tom has been a volunteer in Barrie for many years. His volunteer commitments include acting as Chair of the Catholic Family Life Centre, Captain for the March of Dimes, Past President of the Barrie Minor Hockey Association and Past President of the Barrie AAA Icemen Minor Hockey Association. He is a member of the Ontario Bar Association and is currently a member of the Family Law Section Executive. He is also a member of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association and Family Mediation Canada. He is a past vice-president of the Simcoe County Lawyers' Association and past president of the Simcoe County Family Law Lawyers' Association. He is also past secretary of the Regional Bench and Bar Committee (1990-1993).

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