What is mediation?
Mediation helps people settle disputes without the need to go to court. Mediation is a process in which an independent person (known as the ‘mediator’) assists people who have a disagreement to resolve conflict.
About our mediation service
Bayside Community Legal Service (BCLS)
provides a FREE confidential mediation
service. The BCLS Mediation Service is
independent from the BCLS Legal Service.
There may be up to an 8 week turn around
once mediators are appointed.
The
mediators will contact both parties to
organise a time for the mediation which can
be conducted either in person, online or via
the phone.
What sort of issues can a mediator help with?
There are no limits as to what can be mediated but the most common issues we deal with at the Bayside Community Legal Service are:
Our mediation service can assist clients with:
- Divorce/separation
- Property settlements
- Parenting plans
- Neighbourhood disputes, including peace and good behaviour orders, fences, retaining walls and overhanging branches
- Debt issues
How does mediation
work?
To enhance the opportunity to resolve
disputes between parties, the BCLS
Mediation Service provides a co-mediation
model of dispute resolution in which there
are two mediators who assist the parties in
discussion and resolution of issues.
For
parenting matters a family dispute
resolution practitioner (FDRP) accredited
mediator will be present in all mediations.
Who attends mediation?
Attending mediation is voluntary and both parties need to agree to attend. No lawyers are present during mediation.
Mediation and the law
Mediation is not a legal process and mediators cannot provide you with legal advice. If you have questions about your rights or responsibilities, we suggest you seek legal advice before the mediation.
How to book a mediation
To book a free mediation, please complete a mediation form via our website, email us at mediation@bcls.org.au, or call us at (07) 3162 3282.
We will then assess your legal issue, determine
whether it is suitable for mediation, and pass
your details on to our mediators, who will
contact you to begin the process.