Family Dispute Resolution is a process by which people who are in conflict can be helped to communicate with each other and make decisions about resolving their dispute.

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners provide clients with a neutral and supportive atmosphere in which to talk to each other, sort out issues and come up with acceptable solutions and mutually satisfactory agreements. 

The family dispute resolution process involves:

• the parties listening to each other's point of view without interruption
• focussing on why each party wants to reach agreement
• identifying issues which need to be resolved
• sharing relevant information
• exploring ideas and options
• testing possible solutions
• putting decisions and agreements in writing.

The Role of Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners are highly-skilled people from a variety of professional backgrounds, such as law and the social sciences. They are trained in resolving disputes relating to families. The expertise of Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners allows for a diverse range of disputes to be dealt with, broadly relating to children, finance or property matters.

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners can either work alone or with another practitioner. They do not give legal advice but will explore general principles that apply to couples who are separating. They may give advice in relation to children and parenting matters, focusing on 'the best interests of the child'.

The Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners are impartial and even-handed. They control the process, not the content that is discussed. They maintain the confidentiality of the process, subject to limitations established in law. They are solution and future-focused in helping the parties resolve their dispute. The practitioners ensure that everybody agrees to the decisions being made.

What can participants expect?

Family Dispute Resolution is facilitated by an independent third party and decisions made are not legally binding. Everyone gets the opportunity to express his or her own point of view and is free to talk about issues of concern, with everyone present.

Participants must be willing to listen to the other party and be genuinely willing to negotiate and commit to reaching a solution, which may include considering a compromise. Participants must be prepared to follow the process.

Benefits

Family Dispute Resolution has a number of benefits. For instance, it:

• Saves money and delays, because it is cheaper and quicker than the court process
• Promotes co-operation and improves communication
• Provides a structure in which future disputes can be resolved more readily
• Maintains an individual's control in the decision-making process: there are no imposed decisions
• Is generally less stressful or traumatic than court proceedings
• Is a more effective means of conflict resolution: people are less likely to breach agreements that they have made themselves.

Alternatives

The alternatives to Family Dispute Resolution are:

• Do nothing
• Continue the conflict
• Seek the assistance of friends in resolving the dispute
• Seek arbitration, which is a less formal legal process to resolve the dispute than going to court
• Instruct lawyers to negotiate agreements on your behalf
• Commence court proceedings
• Resolve the issues yourselves, without professional assistance.

If you want to make an appointment to see a family dispute resolution practitioner or find out more about family dispute resolution, contact Relationships Australia on 1 300 364 277.