Mediation
Mediation is a way of helping people settle a dispute without having to go to court. Our trained mediators act as an impartial third party and guide you through a structured mediation process.
Our mediation services are generally provided free to the public. However we provide facilitations and workplace mediations on a fee-for-service basis.
Mediation can be used in the following types of disputes:
- neighbourhood
- family
- separating couples
- commercial
- workplace
- property.
This means savings in time, legal fees and court costs for you and the whole community. It also frees the court system to concentrate on problems that require determination by an outside party.
Normally an agreement reached in mediation is not legally binding, but you can make it enforceable by law if you choose to. Mediation is also ‘privileged’. This means that nothing said during mediation can be used in a court of law.
Free mediation services for disputes between neighbours
The Dispute Resolution Centres offer free mediation services to assist people to manage their neighbourhood disputes without having to go to court.
Abbreviated mediation
If you have to appear before Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal or Minor Debts Court it is possible to settle your matter by abbreviated mediation before the magistrate makes that decision for you.
Mediation for separating couples
Separating couples may find themselves in dispute over such issues as property settlement, care of the children, child support and other financial matters.
Mediation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Mediation is more in keeping with the traditional ways of settling disputes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Dispute resolution in the workplace
Disputes in the workplace can be damaging for all concerned. It is important to resolve them quickly and fairly.
Arranging mediation
When you contact a dispute resolution centre, staff will take some details about the dispute and about you and the other party. If the matter is suitable for mediation, our staff will then contact the other party, explain about mediation, and invite them to participate.