Mediation

Mediation is a process in which a third party (the mediator) assists you and your former partner to reach an agreement. You can mediate about all the areas of dispute, or a limited set of issues (for example, parenting arrangements only). In recent years, it has become more and more popular in the family law space due, in part, to the delays in the court system.

At HDC, we can assist you to choose a mediator who is best suited to your matter and will give you the highest chance of reaching an agreement. We work closely with a range of mediation specialists, who have a variety of background experience and will do their best to assist you to reach a resolution quickly and efficiently.

Mediation can occur either before proceedings are commenced or after you have started a case. If you and your former partner can reach an agreement at mediation, it can be finalised that day. What is discussed at mediation is confidential and cannot be later used against you in Court. This allows both parties to consider all options available to them without concern about how it may affect any later court case.

The benefit of mediation is that it allows you to have a say in how your dispute is resolved, the issues that are dealt with and control over the outcome.

Laura Donnelly, one of our directors, qualified in 2011 as a Family Dispute Resolution practitioner and is an experienced family law mediator.