Sidney H. Troister, Real Estate Arbitrator and Mediator
1 lawyer · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 697 handling Real Estate Law.
About Sidney H. Troister, Real Estate Arbitrator and Mediator
This site promotes the real estate arbitration and mediation practice of Sidney H. Troister, KC, LSM, a senior partner at Torkin Manes LLP in Toronto. Troister was called to the Ontario bar in 1974, spent the first years of practice at a general law firm handling a mix of real estate, commercial litigation, and other files, then joined Torkin Manes in 1981, when it was still a small firm. Troister built a commercial real estate practice there and over more than 50 years has worked on purchase and sale transactions, financing, title repair, and mortgage fraud matters. The mediation and arbitration side of that career is now limited to real estate and commercial leasing disputes, offered through mediation and arbitration.
Troister holds an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School (1972) and a BA from York University (1969), and is a Chartered Arbitrator through the ADR Institute of Canada. Troister wrote The Law of Subdivision Control in Ontario, now in its fourth edition, a standard reference for Ontario real estate lawyers on the Planning Act's subdivision control rules. Troister spent more than two decades pushing for changes to those rules, then served as a formal advisor to the provincial minister responsible for the reform, which took effect on January 1, 2022.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Called to the Ontario bar in 1974 and joined Torkin Manes LLP in 1981.
- Wrote The Law of Subdivision Control in Ontario, now published in its fourth edition by Thomson Reuters.
- Spent more than two decades pushing for the Planning Act subdivision control reforms that took effect on January 1, 2022.
- Received the Ontario Bar Association's Award for Excellence in Real Estate Law in 2000.
- Received the Law Society Medal in 2008.
- Became a Designated Member of the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals in 2020.
- Named Best Lawyers in Canada's Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law in Toronto, 2021.
- Bestowed the King's Counsel designation in 2023.
- Received the Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Gold Key Award for Achievement in 2023.
- Received the Ontario Bar Association's Award for Distinguished Service in 2024.
- Elected as a bencher of the Law Society of Ontario in 2015 and re-elected since.
In the community
- Volunteers as a dishwasher for the Holy Blossom Temple Out of the Cold Project.
- Takes part in the Sporting Life 10K each year as a fundraiser for Camp Oochigeas.
- Takes part in the Ride for Heart each year as a fundraiser.
- Was champion bowler at the Law Society of Ontario's Feed the Hungry Bowl-a-thon.
- Founded the Law Society of Ontario's annual Real Estate Law Summit in 2004 and chaired it for 20 years.
- Co-headed the real estate law section of the Ontario Bar Admission Course from 1990 to 2000.
- Writes a Real Estate Bulletin distributed to more than 1,200 lawyers across Ontario.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleWho handles what
The neighbourhood
This isn't a separate law office. It's a mediation and arbitration practice that Troister runs from Torkin Manes LLP's Toronto office at 151 Yonge Street, Suite 1500, alongside a broader commercial real estate practice at the same firm, in the city's downtown core.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Sidney Troister handle any type of legal dispute, or only real estate matters?
- Only real estate and commercial leasing disputes. Troister's mediation and arbitration work is limited to those areas, drawing on a wider real estate law career that also included purchase and sale transactions, title repair, and mortgage fraud matters.
- What dispute resolution services does Sidney Troister offer?
- Mediation and arbitration for real estate and commercial leasing conflicts.
- What kinds of real estate disputes can Sidney Troister mediate or arbitrate?
- Examples described on the practice's site include commercial and industrial lease renewal disagreements, landlord and tenant disputes over maintenance or shared facility costs, mortgage default and enforcement questions, boundary and easement disputes, purchase and sale agreement disputes, and condominium common area conflicts.
- Why use a real estate specialist as arbitrator or mediator instead of a general litigator?
- The practice's site argues that real estate disputes often move faster when the neutral already understands land registry systems, title law, and real estate terminology, rather than needing those concepts explained partway through a hearing.
- How long has Sidney Troister practiced real estate law?
- Troister was called to the Ontario bar in 1974 and has practiced real estate and leasing law for more than 50 years, currently as a senior partner at Torkin Manes LLP in Toronto.
- How do I reach Sidney Troister to arrange mediation or arbitration?
- By phone at 416 777 5432, by email at stroister@torkinmanes.com, or at the Torkin Manes LLP office at 151 Yonge Street, Suite 1500, Toronto, Ontario.
Where to find them
151 Yonge Street, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON M5C 2W7 · 416-777-5432
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