NCJ Number
130639
Journal
Mediation Quarterly Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (Summer 1991) Pages: 265-279
Date Published
1991
Length
15 pages
Annotation
In Australia, institutional acceptance of family mediation is largely dependent on government policy and legislation that supports dispute resolution in pre-court procedures. The Federal Family Law Act of 1975 has played a major role in promoting domestic conciliation.
Abstract
However, by providing an alternative to litigation, the legislation has also slowed the development of specific mediation services. A new initiative by the Family Court of Australia, which will introduce a court-sponsored mediation service, may lessen opposition to this type of dispute resolution. The service will be integrated with existing services and will use a model of co-mediation by a lawyer and a counseling court officer. 25 references (Author abstract modified)