Abbreviated mediation

If you have to appear before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal or make a minor debt claim in the Magistrates Court you can settle your matter by abbreviated mediation before the magistrate makes that decision for you.

A trained mediator from one of our dispute resolution centres will provide free help to you and the other party to discuss your dispute and come up with a solution that suits you both.

In most cases, the mediation takes place at a courthouse in a special room. It may also take place at a dispute resolution centre or at another venue the centre organises. In all cases it will be at a ‘neutral’ venue.

There are differences between courts as to when the mediation will take place. Some courts offer mediation on the day your case is to be heard by the court or tribunal. In these courts, mediators are available to meet with you just before your appearance.

In other courts however you may have to attend mediation on a separate day before your matter will be heard by the court. Your local magistrates court or dispute resolution centre can explain which process applies in your area.

Benefits of abbreviated mediation

Abbreviated mediation lets you and the other party retain ‘ownership’ of the matter to be negotiated.

It may also reduce the waiting time or lost work time you might have to spend at court on the day the matter was heard. If the parties involved are committed to resolving the dispute, abbreviated mediation may take as little as half an hour.

Experience shows that 50–60% of abbreviated mediations reach an agreement. If you are unable to reach an agreement your matter will be determined by the court.

Matters suitable for abbreviated mediation

Just about any matter that comes before Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal or Minor Debt Court is suitable for abbreviated mediation, for example:

• unpaid debts
• dishonoured cheques
• wages owing
• disputes about dividing fences
• disagreements over work done
• consumer/trader issues
• property damage from vehicles.

Some tenancy matters may also be addressed through abbreviated mediation.

Arranging abbreviated mediation

If you want to use abbreviated mediation to resolve your minor debts or small claims matter, contact your nearest magistrates court or dispute resolution centre for more information. Staff will be happy to explain to you how the process works in your area.

If you reach an agreement through abbreviated mediation, the magistrate will decide whether or not you will still have to appear before the court or tribunal.

Court staff will help you with this when the agreement is presented to them. The court encourages mediation and the magistrate will give attention to a mediated agreement as soon as possible.

For more information contact the dispute resolution centre nearest you.