Mediation Services
Mediation Services Australia – Experts in Dispute Resolution!
What Cases are Suitable for Mediation?
All cases, regardless of their complexity or number of parties, are eligible to be referred to mediation. The types of matters commonly mediated at the Federal Court include commercial and corporations law, intellectual property, industrial law, consumer law, human rights, admiralty, tax and costs.
Some factors about your dispute may indicate that it is particularly suited to mediation, such as:
-a willingness to participate in mediation;
-the possibility that a judge’s decision will not end the dispute;
-the need for parties to find a way to preserve their relationship;
-the existence of non-monetary factors; and
-the potential for a negotiated outcome that better suits the needs and interests of the parties than a judge’s decision.
Why mediate?
Mediation Services in Australia can benefit over a trial by a judge, including:
Time
Ordinarily a dispute can be resolved more quickly through mediation than through a trial. Cost: if a dispute can be resolved through mediation, the costs of preparing and running a trial can be avoided. Additionally, after a trial the unsuccessful party may be ordered to pay the legal costs of the successful party.
Flexibility
Mediation offers parties more control over the outcome. A mediation process which is customised to your needs can be arranged with the mediator.
Confidentiality
mediation is private. The judge is not informed of the contents of the mediation. It is also usually unable to be used against a party if the case goes to trial. (The Court recommends you discuss mediation confidentiality with your lawyer).
Stress
Mediation is less formal and less intimidating than appearing in court.
Satisfaction
Because the parties decide and agree on the outcome of their dispute they are more likely to be satisfied with the result and to comply with what has been agreed.
Finality
Settlement agreements can usually only be modified with the agreement of all parties.
Who attends mediation?
The parties are in ultimate control of any decision to resolve their dispute. It is essential that people attend the mediation with sufficient knowledge of the relevant issues in dispute and the authority to make decisions about how it might settle after the mediation.
If attending on behalf of an organisation the Court requires the attendee be an authorised officer who is able to make a decision about how the dispute might be settled and to enter into an agreement on behalf of the organisation.
How do I Prepare for Mediation?
You can improve the quality of your mediation services in Australia by considering:
- What issues are in dispute, including the facts and sources of conflict
- What is important to you in any resolution of your dispute – the interests that you wish to preserve or pursue may be different to an outcome sought through a trial
- How best to communicate this information, both to the mediator and the other party
- What you would say at the start of the mediation, to assist in resolving the dispute
- Possible contents of an offer and methods of communication
- What costs have already been incurred, are likely to be incurred and what part of these might be recovered
- The possible outcomes if the matter were to proceed to a trial, including the dollar value of any damages claimed and any limits on the Court to award these
What Happens at Mediation?
Before commencing mediation the mediator will consider the best process for mediating your dispute, taking into account suggestions from all parties where possible.
The mediation will commence with an explanation of the process, followed by a discussion about the background of the matter and issues in dispute.
The mediation itself is flexible and can be tailored to the circumstances. Mediators may assist negotiations by asking questions, encouraging open discussion, offering different perspectives and expressing issues in alternative ways. Parties may be encouraged to identify and test the consequences of potential solutions. It is common for the mediator to meet with the parties jointly and separately and further mediation sessions can be scheduled if necessary.
What are the Possible Outcomes of Mediation?
The case may be settled:
- In full
- In part or
- Pparties may not be able to reach agreement
If agreement is reached about all or part of the dispute, the details of that agreement will usually be recorded and signed by all parties before the end of mediation.
If the dispute is settled in full the mediator will notify the judge that the matter has settled. The mediator will not provide the judge with any details of the mediation discussions or the terms of any agreement the parties reached without the permission of the parties. Once the agreement is finalised the parties will usually formally notify the Court that the case is not going to proceed and the case will be closed.
If the matter is not fully settled there may be discussion about what needs to be done to prepare for trial and the file will return to the judge. The mediator will notify the judge of the outcome but not the content of the mediation. Even when a matter does not settle clarification of the issues often occurs.
Mediating a dispute does not mean there will be a delay in it being heard by a judge.
Sometimes the judge will order that if the matter does not resolve at mediation, then the Judicial Registrar may conduct a case management conference (‘CMC’). A CMC is a hearing at which the parties and the Judicial Registrar discuss how the matter can be most efficiently prepared for final hearing, amongst other things. Orders may be made by the Judicial Registrar at a CMC (but not at mediation). Unlike mediation, CMCs are conducted on an open basis, as if the parties were in Court. The mediation will be formally terminated before any CMC begins.
How Much Does Mediation Cost?
Please phone our staff today for a detailed cost estimate.
Mediation Services Australia Resolution
Our Experience
Emma Salerno and Cliff Savala are both accredited mediators who are regularly engaged to act as mediators in a wide variety of disputes. This includes, but are not limited to, disputes pertain to cross jurisdictional international disputes, commercial matters (contractual, debt, etc), litigated matters, estate and family matters, agribusiness, non for profit organisations, native title/indigenous corporations, employment and sports related matters.
With a combined legal experience of over 50 years working in the UK, USA and Asia in addition to Australia both Emma and Cliff are able to use their extensive legal knowledge, commercial astuteness and expertise to assist parties in reaching a negotiated resolution during the mediation process. Emma and Cliff also have significant business experience having personally owned and operated businesses and are therefore able to use this commercial knowledge as well at their legal knowledge as mediators.
Emma and Cliff both boast an excellent record in achieving a commercial resolution for parties who participate in mediations before them.
