Mediation – Family Dispute Resolution

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a service to assist couples and families to resolve parenting and property disputes.

We can assist you negotiate your dispute to minimize the emotional, relational and financial distress. We can also assist you and your ex-partner negotiate parenting orders in a more cooperative and business like manner.

If you have children, learning to use the communication tools that we will provide you with will make a huge impact on the well being of your children and their ability to cope with the enormity of this family change.

If you want to apply to the Family Law Court for a Parenting order, you will need to obtain a certificate from a registered FDR Practitioner to confirm that an attempt at FDR was made.

Child Focussed and Inclusive Family Dispute Resolution Practice

We are passionate about providing services that re-establish and maintain a secure emotional base for your child during and post-separation.

Through child counselling and parent feedback we work closely with you and your child.

We assist parents to actively consider the needs of each child and facilitate a parenting agreement that supports children’s adjustment to the separation.

Section 60I Certificates

In order to apply to the court for parenting orders, parties are required to file with the court a Section 60I Certificate. The certificate demonstrates that the parties have made a genuine effort to resolve the dispute through Family Dispute Resolution (Mediation)

Louise O’Sullivan is a designated provider of Family Dispute Resolution (Mediation) as defined by The Family Law Act 1975 and therefore authorised to issue Section 60I Certificates.

A Section 60I Certificate may be issued when:

• One person attempted Family Dispute Resolution (Mediation), but the other party/s failed to attend
• The mediator has assessed that Family Dispute Resolution (Mediation) is not appropriate
• The parties have attended Family Dispute Resolution (Mediation) and have not been able to resolve the issues.

There are exceptions to the requirement to file a Section 60I Certificate. For example, where the court is satisfied there are reasonable grounds to believe that the application is sufficiently urgent, if a child has been abused or there is a risk of family violence.

A Section 60I Certificate will not be issued by Louise O’Sullivan unless the person seeking the Certificate has demonstrated a genuine attempt to commence the Family Dispute Resolution (Mediation) assessment process. This will at the very least involve an individual (confidential) intake interview. Not all cases will be assessed as appropriate for Family Dispute Resolution (Mediation).

Louise O’Sullivan Locations:

SURRY HILLS

63 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
see map

NEWTOWN

6 Alice Street, Newtown NSW 2042
see map