Lawyer Assisted Family Dispute Resolution (LAW4813)
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a type of mediation which helps separated parents resolve disputes about parenting arrangements and property division with the assistance of an impartial mediator called a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP).
In this clinic, each student will assist the supervising lawyer from Monash Law Clinics in a lawyer-assisted FDR (LAFDR) session and represent one of the parents during mediation. The other parent will be represented by another lawyer from another Community Legal Centre (CLC).
Lawyer Assisted Family Dispute Resolution (LAFDR) sessions are conducted by experienced FDRPs from Sunshine Family Relationship Centre and other Family Relationship Centres.
In addition, students will conduct interviews under supervision with clients who are either preparing to participate in the FDR process or have additional legal needs after their FDR sessions have concluded. Students may also be providing outreach legal services at local dispute resolution centres.
Activities may include:
- Taking instructions from clients under supervision;
- Writing file notes;
- Reviewing court or any other documents relevant to the case;
- Shadowing the supervising lawyer during negotiations with the other party's lawyer
- Observing the LAFDR process;
- Drafting parenting plans and proposed consent orders
- Learning about intersections of family violence, child safety, post-separation conflict and family law issues;
- Conducting research on family law, dispute resolution, access to justice and wider policy issues.
This clinic is run from our office on Level 11, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, with some travel to other local service providers as required. The clinic runs one full day each week, with additional half days as required.