Mediation is a fast, inexpensive, and confidential process. My focus is to resolve conflict and where achievable preserve relationships.
Paul Pattison, Managing Director
THE PROCESS
What is Family Dispute Resolution?
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a mediation process that allows parties to attempt to resolve disputes outside of court in a cost-effective and less stressful environment.
In FDR, the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) assists parties to prepare for the process; identify the issues; facilitate discussion; work towards agreement/consensus; and document the outcome.
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Our Director, an FDRP is required to be impartial and non-judgemental.
What is the Family Dispute Resolution Process?
The FDR process begins with an Intake Session.
An Intake Session is a private consultation with each party separately with one of our qualified FDRPs.
The Intake Session is a discussion to assist the FDRP to understand each party’s issues and concerns seeking resolution. The FDRP will also explain the FDR process in greater detail. The parties are able to ask questions during the intake session to ensure they feel comfortable and informed to proceed.
At the Intake Session, the FDRP will determine if the matter is suitable for FDR.
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Assuming FDR is suitable, the FDRP arranges a date and time that suits both parties to undertake the FDR mediation. After-hours sessions can be arranged. FDR mediation usually takes up to 4 hours.
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The FDR mediation is facilitated by the FDRP and involves clarifying the issues, discussion of the issues and needs, exploring how each parties needs might be met, and reaching an agreement on a way forward. Any outcomes can also be documented.
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What about when children are involved?
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Our FDRP is registered by the Commonwealth Attorney-General. This means that he is skilled in dealing with matters where the interests of a child/children need to be considered. The FDRP is accredited with the responsibility to issue a section 60i certificate as prescribed by the Family Law Act 1975 if required by a party/ies.
Where children are involved the FDRP will assist in the preparation of a Parenting Plan - a Voluntary Agreement addressing the day to day responsibilities of each parent and/or grandparents, the pragmatic considerations of a child's daily life, including how parents are to agree and consult on significant long-term issues about their child/children. A child/children can participate through a Child Inclusive Model or Child Informed Model.