Family Dispute Resolution

The Family Law Act 1975 refers to services such as Family Law Mediation as Family Dispute Resolution. Family Dispute Resolution may assist people experiencing separation or divorce who are unable to agree on issues relating to their children, property and or finances.

Before asking the court to hear an application relating to parenting issues you must attempt Family Dispute Resolution and obtain a Section 60I Family Law Act 1975 Certificate from an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, confirming that you have participated in Family Dispute Resolution or attempted to participate. These certificates are commonly referred to as S60I Certificates and can only be issued by accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners.

The court will only hear applications for Parenting Orders if a certificate from an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner is obtained and filed with the court application. However, Family Dispute Resolution is not mandatory in cases involving child abuse, family violence or urgent cases.

Family Dispute Resolution offers an impartial third party to assist you in reaching an agreement. The aim of Family Dispute Resolution is to assist separating couples to isolate issues and develop and negotiate fair solutions. To amicably reach an agreement without going to court.

Agreements reached at Family Dispute Resolution may be documented as a Parenting Plan or Financial Agreement. If you wish you can ask the court to make your agreement legally binding by making the agreement into a Consent Order.

Family Dispute Resolution can be a quicker, less expensive and less stressful method of reaching an agreement rather than taking legal action through a court.

In circumstances where Family Dispute Resolution is not appropriate a Section 60I Certificate may be issued to enable court intervention as required.

Should a party refuse to attend Family Dispute Resolution or not make a genuine effort to resolve the issue(s) in dispute, an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner may issue a Section 60I Certificate to that effect. Section 60I Certificates may be taken into account by a court when deciding who should pay court costs and whether to order people to attend Family Dispute Resolution.

Family Dispute Resolution at Qantum provides you with a flexible, affordable, confidential and impartial service to best meet your individual needs and circumstances.

The accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners at Qantum follow a three-step process.

1. Assessment of Mediation Suitability
Each party is comprehensively interviewed to ensure that Family Dispute Resolution is appropriate. This may involve the analysis of supporting documentation such as Family Violence Intervention Orders.

2. Mediation Preparation
Parties meet individually to develop an agenda of issues to be discussed at Mediation.

3. Mediation Sessions
Your sessions will take place with the same experienced, registered and accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner who conducted your initial assessment and Mediation Preparation. This ensures continuity of service for you and eliminates any unnecessary stress.

Qantum can assist you in the following areas:

• Family Separation;
• Parenting Agreements/ Parenting Plans;
• Child Support Disputes;
• Property Settlements;
• Financial Agreements;
• Legally Assisted Negotiations; and
• Issuing Certificates under Section 60I Family Law Act 1975.

No matter where you are in your separation journey, we can assist you, including:

• Couples in High Conflict;
• Separated Married Couples;
• Separated Defacto Couples;
• Separated Same-Sex Couples;
• Parent and Grandparent Disputes;
• Cases Involving Children’s Issues;
• Cases Involving Property Issues; and
• Cases Involving Financial Issues.

Family Dispute Resolution may also incorporate optional Child Inclusive Mediation and or Shuttle Mediation. In matters involving children, a strong emphasis is placed on assisting parents to uphold their children’s best interests.

Shuttle Mediation is a form of mediation where the parties remain apart and the mediator moves between them. Shuttle Mediation may take place as agreed between the parties.

If you would like to learn more about Child Inclusive Mediation at Qantum, get in touch with us and we will contact you for a discussion.

Family Dispute Resolution at Qantum meets all the requirements of the Family Law Act 1975, satisfies the standards in the Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2008 and is fully accredited by the Commonwealth Attorney-General to issue Section 60I Certificates.