Mediators and family dispute resolution practitioners help people reach agreement without going to court.
firms
435
regions
16
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Mediation is confidential and usually far cheaper and faster than litigation. In parenting disputes, family dispute resolution is generally required before court, and an accredited practitioner issues a certificate when it doesn't resolve the matter. Lawyers can attend with you or advise you before and after sessions.
Why mediation & dispute resolution matters
Mediation resolves disputes faster and more cheaply than court, and keeps decisions in the parties' hands rather than a judge's.
The Australian context
Family dispute resolution is generally compulsory before parenting proceedings under section 60I of the Family Law Act. Practitioners must be accredited by the Attorney-General's Department. Many courts also order mediation in civil disputes.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Five Dock, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Vincent Love & Co provides legal services in Five Dock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Binding Financial Agreements
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
VM Family Law provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(297)Google rating from 297 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Deirdre Black Lawyer provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Banking & Finance.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(159)Google rating from 159 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Kahler Lawyers provides legal services in North Ward, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionNo win, no fee
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(146)Google rating from 146 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Loukas Law provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Parenting & Child Custody.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(131)Google rating from 131 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Cudmore Legal Family Lawyers Brisbane Co provides legal services in Aspley, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(124)Google rating from 124 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Cudmore Legal Family Lawyers Brisbane Co provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(108)Google rating from 108 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Antunes M C Lawyers & Advocates provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Personal Bankruptcy
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(88)Google rating from 88 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bazaliza Lawyers provides legal services in Potts Point, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Notary Public & JP Services · Mediation & Dispute Resolution2 languages
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(88)Google rating from 88 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Simonidis Steel provides legal services in Brisbane Cbd, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(87)Google rating from 87 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Ellis Lake Lawyers provides legal services in Charlestown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(83)Google rating from 83 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coleman Greig Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Planning & Environment · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(72)Google rating from 72 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Springwood Lawyers provides legal services in Burleigh Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hannaway Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(66)Google rating from 66 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bruce Dulley Family Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Binding Financial Agreements.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(62)Google rating from 62 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Alex Mandry Family Lawyers Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(60)Google rating from 60 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pippa Colman Family Law provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(58)Google rating from 58 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Mediation & Dispute Resolution10 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: vietnamese, arabic, greek, italian, spanish, hindi, punjabi, filipino, korean
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(56)Google rating from 56 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Shamac Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clancy & Triado provides legal services in Camberwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction
Understand the next step
A practical guide to mediation & dispute resolution
What to discuss at the first meeting
Clarify whether you want advice before mediation, a lawyer to attend, or help recording an agreement afterwards. A mediator’s role and your own legal adviser’s role are different.
Ask what can be settled in the session and what further documentation is needed to give the outcome its intended effect.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
02
Discuss negotiation and family dispute resolution. Parenting applications generally involve prior dispute resolution unless an exception applies; ask the lawyer to assess the appropriate process.
03
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Fees and the scope of work
Ask for separate estimates for advice, negotiation, document preparation and court work. A fixed divorce-application fee does not necessarily cover parenting or financial disputes.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight court dates, proposed travel or relocation and any planned property sale. Ask which time limits apply to your particular issues rather than assuming there is one deadline for everything.
Questions to ask a mediation & dispute resolution adviser
What should I prepare before the session?
Who will advise me on any proposed settlement?
Will you handle parenting, property and divorce together or separately?
How will you communicate with me safely?
What would change the proposed approach or budget?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is what I say in mediation confidential?
Generally yes, with exceptions such as threats to safety and child abuse.
What is a section 60I certificate?
A certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner, usually needed before filing a parenting application in court.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?
Not always. A simple divorce application can be filed online without one. It's worth getting advice before you apply if you have children, shared property or superannuation, because divorce starts the clock on time limits for property claims.
How long do I have to settle property after separating?
Married couples generally have 12 months from the date the divorce becomes final. De facto couples generally have two years from separation. After that you need the court's permission, which is not guaranteed.
