Introduction

Beginning in March 2020, COVID-19 related restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings halted the operation of the Courts across North America and, for arbitrations, limited the options available to participants. With proceedings delayed indefinitely until in-person hearings could resume, participants could either undertake only limited, non-evidentiary virtual hearings or continue with full evidentiary hearings virtually - the second option being something with which few participants were experienced or comfortable. Frequently expressed concerns with virtual evidentiary hearings ...