Settlement and Mediation in Canadian Legal Television

Journal of Arbitration and Mediation, p. 79, 2011

14 Pages Posted: 23 Dec 2011

See all articles by Jennifer L. Schulz

Jennifer L. Schulz

University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law

Date Written: 2011

Abstract

This article is a close cultural legal analysis of The Associates, a Canadian legal television program. It describes what The Associates reveals about popular understandings of settlement and mediation in Canada. The show portrays negative attitudes toward settlement and mediation, such as 'settlement is second best' or 'caving in.' Uniquely, however, The Associates also portrays positive attitudes, such as 'mediation is the future of law.' The tension between these negative and positive attitudes is highlighted through the character of Robyn Parsons, the female associate who most often advocates for mediation on the show. Through the character of Robyn Parsons, the problems that women lawyers, women negotiators, and women mediation advocates face are examined. The article concludes by suggesting the possibility that television may be able to create a larger cultural legal space for mediation in society and greater positive exposure for mediators.

Suggested Citation

Schulz, Jennifer L., Settlement and Mediation in Canadian Legal Television (2011). Journal of Arbitration and Mediation, p. 79, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1975886

Jennifer L. Schulz (Contact Author)

University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law ( email )

Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
Canada

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