Alternative dispute resolution

Alternative dispute resolution is a broad term that describes various processes that allow you to reach a settlement outside of the Court system. It includes negotiations between parties or with lawyers, mediation, family dispute resolution, family therapy, arbitration and collaborative practice.

Before you go to Court, you are encouraged (or, in parenting matters, required in most cases) to attend family dispute resolution, mediation or another form of dispute resolution. The Court wants to promote parties, where possible, to resolve their matters by compromise and negotiation.

ADR is beneficial as it gives you a greater say over how your dispute is resolved and the issues that are dealt with. Agreements that are reached between parties (rather than being imposed by a judge) allow you to control what is included and improves the likelihood that the agreement will be long-lasting. All of these processes are faster and, in most cases, less costly than litigation. 

At HDC, we actively seek out ways to resolve your dispute outside of the Courts. The delays in the family law system are widely reported, costly and painful for many litigants. We look for solutions to your dispute and are experienced and skilled in all forms of ADR. We use negotiation and problem-solving techniques to help you resolve your family law matter.

• Mediation
• Family Dispute Resolution
• Family Therapy
• Arbitration
• Collaborative Practice