Experiencing a family breakdown can be highly emotional and stressful for all involved. Fortunately, Court is not the only option to resolve parenting and property matters.
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a form of mediation designed to assist couples and families going through separation in reaching their own mutually acceptable agreements. It is an effective alternative to court proceedings and litigation.
Mediation in a family law dispute setting allows parties to come together in a neutral, voluntary and confidential setting to explore options for parenting arrangements and property matters post separation. The aim is to reach an agreement without the matter escalating further or requiring interference or determination by a Court or Judge.
At Marsdens Law Group, we see mediation as more than just an ‘alternative’ to Court: it should be the primary way parties seek to resolve their property and parenting disputes.
However, we recognise that sometimes mediation it is not appropriate in every matter, particularly in cases involving family violence. Our expert team take the safety of all parties seriously and undertake ongoing risk assessment after speaking to both parties and completing the intake process.
Parties can attend the mediation on their own or with their lawyers. Once you have decided to engage in the mediation process, there are several important steps in the process which our team will guide you through:
Although the aim of a mediation is to finalise a dispute, if no agreement is reached, the sessions can prove useful in narrowing the issues and helping parties communicate better in the future.
All discussions held during mediation and family dispute resolution are confidential and, accordingly, any information exchanged between the parties cannot be used in subsequent Court litigation. There are exceptions to this rule, such as where threats are made against the other person or the other person’s property, or there is a disclosure that a child may have been subjected to abuse or there is a risk of abuse.
Parties and legal professionals looking to resolve their disputes outside of the Court process will have the expert assistance of Brett McGrath, our Partner in charge of Family Dispute Resolution, and Nevine Youssef, helping them bring an end to the often difficult and expensive family law separation process.
Whether you have just separated from your partner or spouse, or are looking for a way to escape the family law Court system, Brett has a proven track record of ‘settling the unsettlable’ during his time as a Senior Judicial Registrar at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in Sydney. Brett also played a pivotal role in the development of the new pathway for families to resolve their disputes in mediation in the Court and was the Director for National Registrar Practice for the Court across Australia. Brett is a Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS) and is also a member of the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM).
With Brett’s experience sitting on the bench of the Court hearing and determining complex interim property, parenting and spousal maintenance disputes, he also enjoyed an Australia-wide and renowned reputation as a sensible, fair-minded and experienced judicial officer.
Our Family Law Partner, Nevine Youssef, is Accredited by the Attorney General’s Department as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and strives to provide the best quality and most cost effective FDR service. Nevine has knowledge and experience as an Accredited Family Law Specialist and Independent Children’s Lawyer to assist parties to navigate, discuss and resolve their disputes without litigation. She is also registered as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner by the Attorney General’s Department.
Our Family Law Partner, Vayshali Chandra, has been working in the Family Law Department exclusively since her admission. She has extensive experience in assisting client’s to settle complex parenting and property matters. Vayshali has a Masters of applied Family Law majoring in Family Dispute Resolution and is registered as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner by the Attorney General’s Department.
Marsdens Law Group is proud to have Brett, Nevine and Vayshali assisting families in resolving their property and parenting disputes.
https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/document/7226
https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/family-dispute-resolution
https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/support/services/family-dispute-resolution-mediation/
If you have recently experienced a separation or a family breakdown and are having difficulty reaching an agreement over property or parenting arrangements, then Family Dispute Resolution could be the solution for you. At Marsdens Law Group, our team is here to help you navigate the process, assist you in finding workable solutions to your disputes and achieve the best outcome for your future.
The cost for a full day mediation with Brett McGrath is $5,500 including GST for Sydney metro areas (including Wollongong). Outside of Sydney metro, the cost will be $6,600 including GST plus travel expenses.
The cost for a full day mediation with Nevine Youssef is $3,300 including GST (plus a $250 intake fee).
The cost for a full day mediation with Vayshali Chandra is $2,200 including GST (plus a $250 intake fee).
To make an enquiry, please fill out the form below, or contact us on (02) 4626 5077.
For further details, contact our team today.
"My experience with Marsdens Law Group was excellent. My core team, Sandy Naidu, Tom Reeve together with their support team, gave my case the time and attention that was needed to drive an outcome in court. They were calm and confident during very difficult court proceedings. Although I acquired their services through a recommendation, I never once was treated as anything other than a valuable client. I very much appreciate the knowledge and support I received through Marsdens, and will highly recommend them to anyone that needs family law legal services.”
"Choosing Marsden’s Law Group as my family lawyer was a decision I do not regret. From the initial briefing, I was met with understanding and a genuine commitment to helping me achieve the best outcome possible.
Throughout the entire process, Tom and Sandy considered my children’s and my emotional wellbeing with empathy and support. Their consideration, combined with their legal expertise, provided the reassurance needed.
What set Marsden’s Law group apart was their diligence and meticulous attention to detail. Through research and strategizing, all aspects of my case were thoroughly examined and addressed. Their dedication to achieving the best possible outcome for myself and children was evident in every action taken. They made me felt heard, supported, and understood, providing guidance and encouragement in a challenging situation.
Thanks to Tom and Sandy’s expertise, patience, empathy, and diligence I was able to navigate through the legal system with confidence and peace of mind. I highly recommend Marsden’s Law group to anyone in need of a compassionate and committed family lawyer."
"Saw Laura, she was very helpful and explained it all to me in a way I understood. Very happy with them."
"Nevine was prompt and had every detail at hand when it was time to attend court. Nevine gave me honest advice and in NO way did Nevine proceed to make my matter drag on. I am so grateful for this because all the advice I got from people in similar situations was that 'solicitors are only there to make money for themselves.' In my experience this was far from the truth from Nevine & the whole Family Law Team."