Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a form of mediation that is specially designed for those who have experienced separation and need assistance to discuss issues relating to parenting matters. As an FDRP, I provide a calm and structured process to facilitate discussions between you, allowing you the space to hear and be heard, and giving you the best opportunity to find a resolution. The process is confidential and voluntary. I am an impartial third party who guides you through your discussions and negotiations, and in matters relating to parenting I maintain a strong child focus to your discussions.

I am accredited with the Attorney-General’s Department to provide FDR and have 10 years of experience working in mediation with separate families. I am legally trained but as a neutral party, I cannot give legal advice.

I have extensive experience assisting clients with property mediations. Property matters do not technically fall under the umbrella of Family Dispute Resolution, but my experience of working alongside the Family Law in parenting matters adds value in supporting clients in this often overwhelming space. Many of my clients appreciate my assistance with both parenting and property mediations.

The process begins with an individual meeting with each client for a Pre-Mediation Conference to gather information, and then my guidance in regard to their preparation for mediation. A second individual appointment before the joint session provides valuable space to discuss proposals and your legal advice, as well as any final questions before the mediation. Your mediation fee includes the cost of drafting a Heads of Agreement for formalising.

The Family Law Act specifies that there is a requirement for parents to attempt mediation (FDR) before making an application to the Court for parenting orders. If mediation is not possible, either because one party wasn’t willing to attend or because the matter was deemed unsuitable for mediation, a document called a 60i Certificate can be issued to one or both of the parties enabling them to make an application to the court for parenting orders. A 60i Certificate can also be issued after mediation if agreements are unable to be reached. I am qualified to issue this document, and do so in line with my process which is outlined below.

Where mediation does not take place, there is a cost associated with assessing the case before a 60i Certificate will be issued.

Firstly, feel free to make contact me with me for a free 15-minute chat about your situation. This will give you the opportunity to ensure that you are in the right place to get the assistance that you need.

Once you have done that, if you would like to proceed, I will collect some information from you which will allow me to contact the other party to invite them to be a part of the process too.

If one party is not willing to engage on a parenting matter, and a s60i Certificate is required by the other party, I will arrange for the initiating party to book a confidential appointment with me to arrange it.

If both parties are willing to take part in the process, I will assist you to each book a time for your individual and confidential Pre-Mediation Assessment with me. This appointment is a required step to allow me to understand your situation, your needs, the dynamic, and importantly, to ensure that mediation is the most suitable process for your situation.

Once both individual appointments have taken place, and the case has been deemed suitable for mediation, I will contact you both to offer dates and times for a mediation.

Mediations can be held as joint (parties together) or shuttle (parties separate) and either in person or on zoom. Your needs and preferences will be assessed when we meet. You may need more than one session to resolve all matters.

Sometimes the outcome is simply a clearer shared understanding of the issues and possible solutions. Often, parties make agreements in mediation that they would like documented. If this is the case, I will capture them in a document called a Parenting Agreement or a Heads of Agreement (for property matters). This document is not legally binding, and more information can be given to you about the paths that you could take in relation to next steps.

My complete fees list is provided. The initial Pre-Mediation Assessment appointments are either $350 per party (for either parenting or property) or $450 per party (for both parenting and property).

Mediation fees are $750 per person for a 3 hour mediation, with the option of additional hours at $250 per hour per person. There may be an additional cost for room hire.

These fees include all correspondence between sessions and drafting documents such as a Parenting Agreement, Heads of Agreement (for property) and/or 60i Certificate after a mediation.

I offer a no charge initial enquiry call to clients - these are around 15 minutes long.

The initial individual Pre-Mediation Assessment appointments are between 1.5 – 2 hours long (depending on whether they are just for property or parenting, or for both). These appointments are held via zoom and can take place after hours during the week to reduce the impact on working parents or during a weekday or Saturday.

Mediation appointments are booked as a minimum 3 hour session with additional hours of time as needed. P These appointments are held via zoom or face to face and can take place on either a weekday or a Saturday.

You can absolutely bring your lawyer for what is called a legally assisted mediation. This can be a really useful arrangement in situations where there are legal questions to be discussed, and you feel that having a legal presence with you will be helpful. My goal is to ensure that the process is fair, so I ask for plenty of notice of this request so that I can work with both parties to ensure that they have a similar level of legal support for the mediation.

An alternative option for mediation is to arrange your session for a time when your lawyer may be available “on call” should an issue arise that you need advice on. I will always ensure that clients are given the time and space to consider issues and seek information and advice when needed during mediation. This can significantly reduce the cost associated with your lawyer attending the entire mediation session.