Australia has a “mediate first” approach to dispute resolution
Government policy and legislative changes have positioned court as the last resort to resolve disputes.
Courts in many jurisdictions expect parties to participate in dispute resolution and make a genuine attempt to resolve their issues before court proceedings commence and continue to do so during trial.
Six reasons why even the courts recommend mediation over a trial
You only need to put “mediation” and “Australia” into an internet news search to learn that mediation is a fixture of even the highest profile legal cases.
The beauty of mediation is that it can occur at any time in the lifecycle of a dispute - from the earliest days when a disagreement erupts, before court proceedings begin, and in some instances, even when a case is before the courts.
Is my mediator accredited? Why is this important?
So how can you be sure that someone who holds themselves out as a mediator is appropriately skilled and qualified?