Industry Updates

For Mediation Institute Members and other Dispute Resolution Professionals

The 4 Pillars of Mediation with David Mitchell

The Four Pillars of Mediation, developed by Adelaide mediator David Mitchell, is a reflective professional framework designed to strengthen mediator effectiveness across alternative dispute resolution contexts.

The model recognises that ...mediation competence extends beyond process knowledge and is shaped by four interconnected foundations:
- Philosophy, the principles and ethical beliefs guiding practice;
- Psychology, an understanding of the emotional and behavioural dynamics present in conflict;
- Persona, the mediators' professional presence and how they are experienced in the room; and
- Present, a disciplined focus on the "here and now" of the dispute.

Together, these pillars support both mediators' personal and professional development and foster meaningful peer discussion of practice.

Timestamps:
0:06 – Introduction & David Mitchell's background
14:04 – Pillar 1: Philosophy – Aristotle, compassion vs. empathy, and practical wisdom
14:11 – Pillar 2: Psychology – The mediator as conductor, mirror cells, NLP & person-centred communication
21:42 – Pillar 3: Persona – Professional presence, self-compassion, peer supervision & oxytocin
26:47 – Pillar 4: Present – Working in the now, hippocampal shifts & Gestalt cycles
34:28 – Q&A – Discussion & audience questions
41:12 – Are mediators born or made?
46:33 – Aristotle's 12 virtues explored

Members can connect with David via the members portal #mediation #mediationinstitute #reflectivepracticeShow More

The 4 Pillars of Mediation with David Mitchell

The Four Pillars of Mediation, developed by Adelaide mediator David ...

Think Family Group Conferences Are Full of Conflict? Think Again

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Property Matters in Family Dispute Resolution: Disclosure, Complexity & Power Imbalances

In this CPD webinar, Joanne Law, Director of Mediation Institute and ...

In this CPD webinar, Joanne Law, Director of Mediation Institute and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, walks through the significant 2024–2025 amendments to the Family Law Act and what they mean ...in practice for Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRPs).

Topics covered include the codified four-step property framework, the new express provisions for family violence in contributions and current/future circumstances, the statutory duty of disclosure now written into the Act, and the new category for companion animals.

Note: The member discussion portion of this webinar has been edited out of this recording. A full version is available to members in the CPD library. http://www.mimembers.au

🔔 Like, subscribe and hit the bell for more FDR education and family law updates.

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome & introduction
0:58 – Housekeeping & session format
1:37 – Acknowledgement of Country
2:47 – Webinar overview: what we'll cover
4:41 – The four-step property framework (now in the Act – s.79(3))
5:21 – Family violence provisions: contributions & future circumstances
7:13 – Duty of disclosure: moved from Rules into the Act
8:35 – Companion animals: a new category (not just chattel)
9:06 – Add-backs: what's changed with current case law
14:20 – Step 1: Legal & equitable interests, asset identification
16:01 – Step 2: Contributions (financial, non-financial & family violence)
17:32 – Step 2 cont.: The family violence contribution lens
19:51 – Step 3: Current & future circumstances (s.79(5) factors)
25:28 – Housing & care of children: now an explicit factor
31:42 – Other s.79(5) factors: education, earning capacity, cohabitation
35:22 – Family violence: landmark case & the high bar that existed
37:05 – How the amendments have lowered that bar
43:33 – Duty of disclosure: key cases & practical implications
50:55 – s.71B: Our statutory obligation as FDRPs
55:58 – Managing disclosure: pre-mediation & during sessions
1:02:50 – When to stop the process: non-disclosure & financial abuse
1:10:02 – Companion animals: court orders, shared care & intake tips
1:23:07 – Key takeaways & CPD wrap-upShow More

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Mediation Institute Reflective Supervision Course Welcome Video

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Supervision-Ready Case Studies: A Guide for Mediators

Learn how to transform your mediation case studies from superficial ...

Learn how to transform your mediation case studies from superficial timelines into deep, reflective tools for professional growth. This comprehensive webinar covers the essential framework for preparing supervision-ready case studies ...that explore decision-making, ethical tensions, and internal processes.

Perfect for family dispute resolution practitioners, workplace mediators, and anyone seeking to deepen their reflective practice through quality supervision or even personal reflection.

🎯 What You'll Learn:

• Why most case studies stay at surface level
• The 6-part structure for reflective case studies
• How to identify and explore ethical tensions
• Strategies for examining your internal decision-making
• Common pitfalls to avoid in case study preparation

📚 Resources:
• Free case study preparation tool for Mediation Institute Members
• Introduction to the Seven Eyes supervision model
• Tripod Model for balanced supervision

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction & Acknowledgement
0:58 What's Hardest About Case Studies
3:23 Why Case Studies Stay Superficial
4:56 Example: Superficial Case Study
6:09 Supervision Questions
7:42 How to Design a Case Study
8:12 Professional Supervision Overview
9:25 Supervision Ready Case Study Elements
11:00 Reflection as Risk Management
11:33 Six Part Structure Tool
14:19 Detailed Example - Context
16:01 Detailed Example - Process Decision
16:20 Detailed Example - Ethical Tension
16:37 Detailed Example - Internal Experience
17:21 Detailed Example - Questions
19:07 Group Discussion
28:19 Tripod Model Introduction
29:27 Seven Eyes Model
31:05 Common Ethical & Reflective Pitfalls
38:47 Recap & Key Takeaways
40:18 Q&A - Supervisor Course

🔗 Related Links:
https://www.mimembers.au/links
https://www.mediationinstitute.edu.au/supervision-training/

📢 About This Webinar:
Presented by the Mediation Institute, this webinar provides practical guidance for mediators and family dispute resolution practitioners seeking to maximize the value of professional supervision.

Mediation #ProfessionalSupervision #CaseStudy #FDR #ReflectivePractice #MediationTraining #ProfessionalDevelopmentShow More

Orientation Grad Dip FDR

Mediation Institute Student Orientation: Accessing Courses, ...

FDR vs AMDRAS: Understanding Professional Obligations for Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners.

Understanding the distinction between Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) ...

Understanding the distinction between Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) practitioners and AMDRAS accredited mediators is crucial for professional practice in Australia.

In this comprehensive webinar, Joanne Law, Director of Mediation Institute, clarifies ...the professional boundaries, obligations, and key differences between FDR practitioners under the Family Law Act and nationally accredited mediators under AMDRAS standards.

📌 What You'll Learn:
✅ Why jurisdictional distinction matters for your practice
✅ Statutory obligations for FDR practitioners vs AMDRAS mediators
✅ Child focus, safety, and suitability assessment requirements
✅ Section 60I certificate authority and responsibilities
✅ Confidentiality and inadmissibility protections
✅ Registration pathways and accreditation requirements
✅ Professional development obligations (24-25 hours every 2 years)
✅ Record-keeping requirements (updated 2025 regulations)
✅ Common complaints and how to avoid them
✅ Decision-making framework for determining FDR vs general mediation

⏱️ Chapters:
0:00 Introduction & Acknowledgment
2:00 Why Jurisdictional Distinction Matters
4:06 Overlap Between FDR and AMDRAS
7:25 What Changes When It's FDR
11:03 Jurisdictional Triage
14:10 AMDRAS vs FDR Systems Comparison
25:49 FDR Obligations Under Family Law Act
29:51 Summary of Key Differences
36:01 Decision Making Framework
37:19 Insights from Complaints
42:00 Closing Remarks

🎓 Presented by:
Joanne Law, Director of Mediation Institute and Manager of the approved complaint handling service for nationally accredited mediators and FDR practitioners. http://www.mediationinstitute.edu.au

📋 Key Updates Covered:

- Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2025
- Updated Section 114B (formerly Section 117) cost provisions
- New record-keeping requirements
- Alternative pathways for AMDRAS accreditation

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

AMDRAS Board: http://www.amdras.au
Australian Institute of Family Studies: https://aifs.gov.au/resources/resource-sheets/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglect
Mediation Institute: http://www.mediationinstitue.edu.au for training information. http://www.mimember.au for professional membership information

⚠️ Important for Practitioners:
If you only have core units and rely on AMDRAS accreditation for FDR registration, your FDR status is conditional on maintaining national accreditation. Don't let it lapse!

💬 Questions or Comments?
Share your thoughts below or contact Mediation Institute for more information.

📧 Want the Decision Tree Document?
Email us at office@mediationinstititute.edu.au to request a copy.

#FamilyDisputeResolution #FDR #Mediation #FamilyLaw #AMDRAS
© Mediation Institute
This presentation is for educational purposes. Always consult current legislation and seek professional advice for specific situations.Show More

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The 4 Pillars of Mediation with David Mitchell