Mediations

Your mediator, Hayley Cunningham – Accredited Specialist (Family Law)

Separating from your partner or spouse is never easy and sometimes it is just plain difficult.  As your Mediator, I can help you both navigate the challenging conversations that can occur shortly after separation, or even after some time has passed.  As a Mediator it is not my role to provide parties with legal advice, however my extensive experience in family law often means that I can provide people with other options which they have not previously considered to move through what seems like an impasse.

In Family Law, the terms Family Dispute Resolution and Mediation are used interchangeably.

Subject to some exceptions, an application to a Court for parenting orders cannot be made without a party first obtaining a certificate from a Mediator saying that mediation has been attempted.  If there is a dispute, mediation gives you and your former partner/spouse the change to raise the things important to you in your own words, rather than through the ‘filter’ of lawyers.

Why Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution?

• Control the costs
• Control the outcome
• Preserve parental relationships
• Informal
• At your convenience
• Confidential

What is Mediation?

Mediation/Family Dispute Resolution is a process:

• In which a family dispute resolution practitioner (“Mediator”) helps people affected, or likely to be affected, by separation or divorce to resolve some or all of tehir disputes with each other;
• Where the Mediator is independent of all of the parties involved in the process;
• That usually means a meeting, or meetings with the parties, the Mediator and possibly lawyers, and
• Can take place in person, in separate rooms or by telephone.

The role of the Mediator to assist the parties with a view to reaching an agreement.  It is ot the role of the Mediator to give legal advice.  The Mediators’ role also includes ensuring:

• The process is fair and civil;
• That everyone has a chance to be heard;
• The issues in dispute are identified and,
• Options are explored.

Why Hayley Cunningham?

• Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
• More than 15 years’ experience practising in Family Law
• Can issue section 60i certificates for parenting mediations
• Experienced Mediator