
Family Dispute Resolution (Mediation)
Navigating Family Disputes with Care
The family law system encourages separated parents to try and agree on arrangements for their children without having to go to court. Family Dispute Resolution is a specialized type of mediation, is a practical, less stressful and less expensive way for separated families to sort out these arrangements and create a written parenting agreement/plan as requested. Agreements made during Family Dispute Resolution are not legally binding but can be made into a Parenting Plan or Consent Order with legal advice.
What is Family Dispute Resolution?
(also known as Mediation)
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a process that encourages separated parents to meet together to discuss and make decisions regarding parenting arrangements for their children. Family Dispute Resolution can also be used to resolve property and/or financial issues after separation (“Property Mediation”).
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​Separating parents often face a range of issues that they need to resolve for the benefit of their children and themselves. These issues may include; living arrangements for the children, holiday arrangements, education, achieving effective communication as parents, child support/children’s expenses, health care, and many other parenting issues.
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Communication and Conflict Resolution: Facilitating constructive dialogue and helping family members develop effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
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Divorce and Separation: Addressing plans for separation and moving into two homes.
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Parenting Plans: Creating comprehensive parenting plans that prioritise the well-being and best interests of the children involved, this may include issues such as parenting arrangements, how children spend time with each parent, decision making and communication between family members.
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Property & Financial Matters: Resolving disputes related to child support, property division, and financial settlements.


Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
Bianca Roche-Bolger is an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner by the Attorney General’s Department. Bianca provides Family Dispute Resolution as described in the Family Law Act and can also issue section 60I certificates as required/requested.
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The role of the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner:
A Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) plays a neutral role and does not take the side of either participant, regardless of whichever parent started the process. The role of the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner is to help parties in dispute to come to points of agreement on parenting and/or property matters and other associated issues that may be in dispute. Where there are children involved, the Practitioner will encourage parents to think about the needs of their child/children and assist them in making decision together that are developmentally appropriate and in the best interests of their child/children.
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The role of the FDRP is not to give legal advice. The FDRP is independent and impartial. The FDRP does not make decisions for parties. The FDRP however may at times encourage exploration of options to help the parties reach best outcomes. The FDRP will help parties communicate respectfully in a safe and comfortable environment.
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The FDRP will assist parties to:
• Identify and clarify the issues in dispute
• Develop and consider possible options to resolve those issues
• Explore the practicality and acceptability of option
• Help develop solutions that are in the best interests of the children
FDR with BRB
Participation in Family Dispute Resolution:
FDR is a voluntary process, however before filing an application in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for an order in relation to a child, the parties are required, with some exceptions, to attend FDR and to make a genuine effort to resolve any dispute relating to children. Exceptions may include, for example, an urgent application to the court, family violence, child abuse or an inability to contact one party.
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You should be aware that if Family Dispute Resolution is required and you do not attend, or make a genuine effort to resolve the dispute, should the other party choose to take the matter to Court, then the consequences may be that;
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The hearing of your case may be delayed,
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The Court may order you and the other party to attend Family Dispute Resolution, and/or
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The Court may take this into account in deciding costs (you could be ordered to pay some or all of the other party’s legal costs).
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Child Inclusive Family Dispute Resolution:
At times, with the agreement of both parents, the children are also invited to participate in the process through a child consultation. Bianca is also an experienced Child Consultant and can provide support to children and include their “voice” in the process when appropriate. Further information on child inclusive mediation and its suitability can be requested.
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It is important to consider the views of children and how any agreements reached in Family Dispute Resolution may impact on the children. For example, the FDRP may consider the impact of parental conflict on children and/or relevant aspects of child development.
Parenting Plan:
If parents wish to develop a parenting plan the FDRP can assist in the preparation. Parenting plans are not legally enforceable; however the parenting plan may be used as the basis for Consent Orders to be lodged at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and may be considered as part of any legal or court proceedings including proceedings brought in relation to existing Parenting Orders.
Certificate 60I’s:
The Family Law Act 1975 requires parents to obtain a certificate from a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner before filing an application in court. To obtain this certificate you must attend mediation (Family Dispute Resolution) and try and attempt to resolve any problems that you have in relation to your child/children. If the participants cannot agree in Family Dispute Resolution the Practitioner will, on request, issue you with a 60I certificate. This Certificate is needed in order to commence court proceedings.
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Legal Advice
The Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner does not provide legal advice. Parties are encouraged to seek legal advice at any stage in the FDR process and the FDRP may recommend parties seek legal advice.
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Support Persons
With prior agreement of both parties and the FDRP, support persons may attend FDR. Support persons do not speak or participate in the process. Support persons are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Family & Relationships Services Australia
Being Brave: The role of the FDRP in Child-Inclusive FDR
Bianca Roche-Bolger, Belinda Taranto
4 June 2019
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The importance of giving children a voice within FDR is widely supported, but what does it take for Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRPs) to effectively include children? While the role of the Child Consultant has received attention there has been less emphasis on the importance of the FDRP. In this presentation experienced practitioners share their reflections on why FDRPs do not regularly include children in FDR processes. To give children a voice, FDRPs need courage to share their case and appreciation of their continuing role throughout CIP. Ultimately the partnership between mediator and child consultant is critical to bringing safe, meaningful child inclusion to the heart of FDR.
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Belinda Taranto and Bianca Roche-Bolger will outline pivotal aspects of their working relationship as an FDRP and Child Consultant at Relationships Australia NSW. They will share illustrative case studies of their work within the RANSW facilitative model of FDR; and explore what they have learnt about the role the FDRP plays in promoting, assessing and facilitating Child Inclusive FDR. They will finally discuss their views on what motivates and enables FDRPs to work within the CIP multi-disciplinary model and invite reflection on the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for this work.
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This presentation will be relevant to both FDRPs who have not worked with a Child Consultant, and experienced practitioners who might be interested in reflecting on their role within a CIP and how to work better with their relationships and referrals.