Mediation | Perth, Western Australia

Taryn Glowinski is an Accredited Mediator. She is a member of the Resolution Institute. 

Family Law Mediation
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Mediation is a great way to help you to resolve your family law matter. 

What is mediation?

Mediation is a process involving you, your former partner, and a mediator, where you meet to try to resolve your family law dispute and avoid going to Court. It is also known as Family Dispute Resolution or Alternative Dispute Resolution.

 

 

Do I have to attend mediation?

For parenting matters, you must attend mediation and try to resolve your parenting dispute before going to court. If you are unable to resolve your matter at mediation, then the mediator will give you a section 60i certificate, which you will need to provide to the Family Court when you commence Family Court proceedings.  

 

There are exemptions to the general requirement that you must attend mediation before going to court. You won't be required to attend mediation if:

  • there has been family violence or child abuse, or if there is a risk of family violence or child abuse;
  • if the matter is considered urgent; or
  • if one of the parties is unable to effectively participate in mediation due to some kind of incapacity, physical remoteness from dispute resolution services or for some other reason.

If one or more of the exemptions apply, you will need to file an exemption form which can be found here.

 

For property matters, it is now compulsory to consider engaging in some form of alternative dispute resolution before commencing Family Court proceedings. You may still commence proceedings but the court is likely to ask you on the first court hearing date whether you have attended mediation or not, and may adjourn your matter to allow you and the other party time to attend mediation. 

 

What are the benefits of mediation?

#1 - In mediation you and your former partner are in control of the outcome. Therefore, there is a greater chance of obtaining a resolution that you are both happy with, rather than when the Family Court makes the decisions for you. 

 

#2 - Even if you do not reach an agreement on all matters, mediation can help you to narrow the issues that are in dispute, which can save you in time and legal costs. 

 

#3 - Mediation can help you to see common ground between you and your former partner, which can help you to communicate more effectively with them in the future. 

 

#4 - At mediation, you have the opportunity to discuss matters and reach an agreement on matters that are outside of the scope of what the Family Court can do, for example, custody/care arrangements for your pets. 

 

#5 - Resolving your family law via mediation, is less stressful, more cost effective and quicker, than the alternative of going to the Family Court. 

 

 

How we can help

We can help you prepare for the mediation. We can provide you with legal advice about your rights, entitlements and the legal principles, prior to engaging in mediation. We can explain the process of mediation to you, and refer you to reputable mediation services depending on your budget and needs. 

 

If you reach an agreement, we can give you advice about filing an application for consent orders and prepare the documents for you. 

 

Taryn Glowinski is an Accredited Mediator, and can help mediate your dispute, particularly in relation to property settlement matters.  Taryn is not a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner so cannot issue section 60i certificates for parenting matters.  

 

Please contact Applecross Family Lawyers on (08) 9364 9915 or 0474 458 340 if you require any family law advice.