Our Practice

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Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is the legal name for mediation. Mediation helps families going through separation or divorce resolve their parenting and property issues.

Our process begins with a confidential one-on-one intake session with each party. During these sessions we gather information about your family circumstances and assist you to prepare for your mediation ahead.

A mediation then occurs once all parties are informed and prepared.

If a resolution is reached our mediators assist the parties in documenting their agreement.

At mediation, the mediator helps the parties discuss issues, look at options and reach agreements that are in the best interests of all parties. 

In a parenting matter, mediation allows you to:

• establish a sustainable parenting plan or parenting consent orders;
• arrange a co-parenting relationship for your child or children; and  
• conduct a respectful separation.

In a property settlement matter, mediation allows you to:

• determine how to split your assets and liabilities in a cost-effective manner;
• finalise the financial relationship and move on; and 
• arrange an enforceable settlement.

Mediation gives you the space and agency to be involved in the decision making around your family law problem. It allows you to discuss options and generate solutions for your issue in an environment that is conducive to discussion.

By attempting to resolve your issue at mediation, you are greatly reducing the financial and emotional costs of your family law dispute.

You can attend mediation if you are self represented, or if you have a legal representative. 

The Family Law Act 1975 requires separating  families to make a genuine effort to try and resolve their matter  through family dispute resolution before filing in Court.

Unless an exception applies, parties seeking to have a parenting Order made by a Court will need to file a Certificate from an Accredited family dispute resolution practitioner. The certificate is issued under section 60I of the Act.

The Act also encourages parties to attempt negotiations in property settlement matters before filing in Court.

Mediations are conducted in a trauma-informed manner in our practice. 

Prior to commencing mediation, the mediator will undertake a comprehensive intake session with all parties. In this session, they will ask you about any safety concerns you may have.

The mediator will then conduct the mediation in a manner which is safe in the circumstances. There are different ways of conducting the mediation session, such as face-to-face, online or via a shuttle format where the parties do not directly interact with one another.