high conflict mediation

Whatever the circumstances of your separation or level of hostility between you and your ex-partner, our mediators are particularly skilled in handling these "high conflict" mediations. 

It is important that you feel safe, and are safe before, during and after FDR.

If you have any concerns about your safety or the safety of your children, you should tell your mediator at Perth Mediation Services as soon as possible.

The mediator will then make an assessment of whether the mediation can proceed and make arrangements to ensure safety. This may include separating both parties into different rooms and conducting a "Shuttle Mediation". Parties can be managed so that they arrive and leave at different times and use separate entries. It is thus highly unlikely that you will encounter your ex-partner.

Please note that if a Violence Restraining Order is in place, mediation can take place without any amendments as Family Dispute Resolution is exempt from VRO’s if appropriate.

Below is the process for shuttle mediation.

1 Contact

  • One partner contacts us with regards to setting up an appointment.
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2 Consultation

  • At the pre-mediation meeting the mediator will discuss your specific situation with you and assess whether mediation will be suitable. If appropriate your mediator will contact the other party and invite them to a similar pre-mediation meeting.
  • If mediation is suitable, both parties are contacted to arrange a mutually agreeable time.
  • If mediation is not appropriate, a Section 60i certificate can be issued.

3 Mediate

  • The mediation meeting will be held in the Perth Mediation Services office, for 3 hours. The focus of the meeting will be on either parenting or property settlement.
  • One party will be asked to a arrive earlier than the other party and to enter through one of the two entrances. They will be settled in a room before the second party is escorted to their separate room.
  • Your mediator will relay or "shuttle" comments between the two rooms.
  • At the end of the session, the parties will be instructed to leave at separate times and may be escorted to their vehicle.
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4 Agreement

  • If an agreement is reached during the mediation, your mediator will prepare and send your agreement to you for review and signing.
  • After any amendments the agreement is signed by both parties.
  • The agreement can be made legally binding by filing a Form 11 (or consent order) with the Family Court.

If you are looking for a positive outcome through mediation, call Perth Mediation Services on 9300 0674 or complete the enquiry form and a mediator will call within 24 hours to answer your queries.