FMC Relationship Services

(Mediation & Conciliation)

This program is for persons or parties in conflict over issues such as:

• Separation;
• Arrangements for children, including parenting (post-separation); and
• Division of property
• Future of Relationship

The program includes same-sex persons and domestic partners (de facto couples).

A bi-cultural Chinese speaking practitioner is available for family dispute resolution.

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) has a number of distinct features:

• It is voluntary. No one can be made to use family dispute resolution if they don’t want to as it can only work if all parties are willing and able to negotiate freely.
• It is confidential (within limits). The practitioners take an oath of secrecy. Furthermore, evidence cannot be admitted in legal proceedings.(exceptions apply)
• It is neutral and impartial. The practitioners assist the parties to negotiate and do not take sides. Family Dispute Resolution practitioners do not make decisions in relation to the matters in dispute.
• Advice (aside from legal advice) may be offered where appropriate.
• It is designed to empower the parties to make decisions and relies on direct communication. People work at their own pace, exploring options and are encouraged to consider both the other’s needs and the needs of the children.
• The agreements reached can be as comprehensive or as a brief as the parties desire. Agreements made are not legally binding but steps can be taken to make them so. This involves drawing up Consent Orders. A solicitor may be seen to arrange this.

Family dispute resolution (FDR) may not always be appropriate, particularly where there is:

• abuse of children or domestic violence;
• a power inbalance between the parties;
• an inability to work rationally; and/or
• an inability to articulate feelings and needs; and/or
• an inability or unwillingness to negotiate freely or to abide by the rules of family dispute resolution.

FDR sessions may be conducted by either one or two practitioners, depending on the circumstances. The process involves an intake stage, which usually occurs in person with each party individually. However, intake is occasionally done by way of the telephone, particularly if there are geographical constraints. The purpose of the intake process is to hear from the parties individually, with the dispute resolution process and to assess for suitability.

Once intake is completed, then a FDR session is booked if appropriate. The session is usually for no more than two hours and there can be any number of sessions for the parties. However, it is usual for there to be between two and four sessions.

Fees for the Family Law program (after intake) are based on a sliding scale according to each individual’s gross annual income, after intake. At intake, the current fee is $50 per person. For FDR sessions, the scale is $1.50 per person, per hour, per $1,000 of gross annual income. Fees are negotiable and the service will not be limited due to a genuine inability to pay.

People may be referred by solicitors, courts or other agencies, or may self-refer.

Centres offering Family Dispute Resolution are:

Moorabbin, Ringwood, Narre Warren, Frankston, Traralgon

See Locations (in the menu to the left) for contact details.