What is mediation?
Mediation is a dispute resolution process where a mediator (an independent third party specially trained in helping two parties reach an agreement) facilitates communication between you and your former partner in the hope of reaching an agreement.
During a family law mediation you and your former partner and your legal representation will discuss both parties’ wishes and try to come to an agreement that suits both parties and any children involved.
Depending on the type of mediation, you can discuss all aspects of your dispute in a mediation including property settlement and arrangements for the children as well as other issues which you might not normally bring up in court, for example who gets to keep the cat, the children’s time with their friends or the baby’s feeding and sleeping routines.
Unlike a Judge or Registrar at Court, the mediator is not able to impose a decision on you or your former partner. Mediation is all about coming to an agreement together. It puts you in the control seat and enables you to make sure that all of your concerns have been addressed.
Why should I mediate?
- It’s cost effective. Mediation is usually considerably less than the cost of ongoing litigation.
- It’s time efficient. The courts have a huge waiting list and a non-urgent application can take between 8- 12 months (or longer) to be heard. A mediation can occur as soon as the mediator that you both agree on is available. Once you reach an agreement at mediation the process to get consent orders drafted, signed and filed is relatively straightforward. Orders are usually made within 30 days.
- Less emotionally draining. Going to court can be a very stressful and emotionally exhausting process. A mediation has the benefit of being less formal and more relaxed than a court appearance. It can also help you feel more in control of your own result than you would in a court room where you would have little opportunity to talk.
- It works! Mediation has great results and a huge percentage of mediations will settle without having to go to court.
- It’s confidential! Any information talked about in mediation with your lawyer is covered by legal privilege. This means that any information disclosed during the mediation cannot be used in later court proceedings.
Do I need to be represented by a lawyer?
No, we are prepared to conduct mediations where:
- both parties are represented by lawyers,
- neither party is represented or,
- one party is represented and the other party is not.
What Our Clients Say
“You have a gift of making people feel at ease whilst ensuring issues are practically discussed and potential outcomes are couched in terms of workable solutions that will succeed. A theme discovered in the opening hours of commencing legal studies was that people don’t need lawyers, however when they do and lawyers do a good job then a lawyer’s worth is realised and the clichés and lawyer jokes fall away! That was my experience with you and my lawyer, although a good lawyer joke still makes me laugh. I appreciate the difficult environment you work in and the challenges of helping people to realise pragmatic and effective results. Results often achieved through a fog of hurtful and sometimes devastating emotional responses to the end of their old life. Where the best parties are able to achieve is feeling the process was fair, however they and their ex life partner both lost.” – AS for Robert Routh.
Our Mediators
Robert Routh
Family Lawyer Canberra
Robert is a former Registrar of the Family Court of Australia and is also a registered Dispute Resolution Practitioner in Family Law. Robert’s experience of almost 35 years in Family Law and more than 20 years as a mediator has enabled him to assist many clients in resolving their legal issues at an early stage. His emphasis is in early settlement of legal disputes. Robert’s pragmatic approach to matters allows clients to focus on the “bigger picture”, and how a settlement can be best structured, to meet the client’s and their family’s needs.
Juliette Ford
Family Lawyer
Juliette is a nationally accredited mediator with sophisticated skills to support couples to reach an agreement. She conducts her mediations with respect, patience and dignity.
Juliette joined Farrar Gesini Dunn in 2001 and became a Partner in 2003. She specialises in all areas of family law drawing upon her experience litigating, as a Registrar of the Court and in leading the practice of collaborative law. For Juliette what matters most is that her clients achieve outcomes that work for them and their family, allowing them to move forward with life. She provides her clients with clarity and certainty when the family law system can appear complex and litigious.
Julia Tutty
Child And Family Specialist
With over 18 years of dedicated experience in the post – separation space, Julia is a highly respected professional known for her compassionate approach and expertise.
As an accredited FDRP, Child consult and counsellor Julia has helped countless of individuals navigate the complexities of separation. Julia has also managed a post separation services team and trained, mentored, and supervised Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners.