Roundtable dispute management

We have a service that can help your clients who are going through a separation or divorce to resolve their family disputes. It is called Roundtable Dispute Management (RDM).

RDM can help your clients work out solutions to their family law disputes. These disputes may be about parenting, maintenance, financial arrangements and property settlements.

How can RDM help my client?
Who can use RDM?
How does RDM work?
How much does RDM cost my client?
What happens if my client needs an interpreter?
Where is RDM?
Does RDM have childcare?
Will my client be safe?
Is the service confidential?

How can RDM help my client?

RDM can help your client reach agreement over a family law dispute instead of going to court. Recent reforms to the Family Law Act encourage separated parents to try to resolve disputes using a service like RDM before applying to a court for a parenting order. We can give your client a family dispute resolution certificate to show that they attended or attempted to attend our service.

Our service encourages parents to focus on the children to:

• make sure the decisions support the children’s needs
• develop parenting plans are in the best interests of the children 
• improve family communication and cooperation
• reach solutions that work for the family.

Who can use RDM?

One of the people involved in the family dispute must have a grant of legal assistance from Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) to use RDM. To find out if your client is eligible for a grant read the Grants handbook.

You can apply for a grant for your client online (see e-lodgement).

How does RDM work?

A case manager will assess whether RDM is right for your client. If they are invited to use the service you will be advised of a conference date within six weeks. The case manager will help prepare the parties for the conference.

We have experienced, qualified family dispute resolution practitioners who run the conference. They have authority to issue a certificate under the Family Law Act. If the matter has not fully settled, we can arrange a second RDM conference.

After the conference the chairperson provides a report. The report includes a recommendation on further grants of assistance. The chairperson’s recommendation is not binding.

Lawyers are responsible for preparing the conference agreements. We recommend that all clients receive legal advice before signing these agreements.

How much does RDM cost my client?

The service is free for your client. This does not include the cost of legal representation. Your client may be eligible for a grant of legal assistance. If not, they will have to pay your legal costs.

What happens if my client needs an interpreter?

If your client needs an interpreter, we will arrange for an interpreter to attend the interview and conference.

Where is RDM?

We have offices in the following metropolitan and regional locations:

Metropolitan	Regional
Broadmeadows	Bairnsdale
Dandenong	Ballarat
Footscray	Bendigo
Frankston	Castlemaine
Preston	Geelong
Ringwood	Horsham
Melbourne CBD	Mildura
Sunshine	Morwell
	Shepparton
	Swan Hill
	Wangaratta
	Wodonga

If your client is not able to get to one of these locations, we can arrange a telephone conference from your office.

Does RDM have childcare?

We do not provide childcare. We can’t proceed with appointments if clients bring their children.

Will my client be safe?

We conduct a comprehensive risk assessment with every case. We make sure the conference takes place in a safe environment. The case manager can develop individual safety plans with each client that must be followed when using the service. Your client can choose to have no direct contact with the other party. We can have the conference in a different building. We can also arrange a telephone conference from your office.

Is the service confidential?

What happens at RDM is confidential. This means what is discussed at RDM remains private and can not be used in court. This rule does not apply where RDM:

• is concerned for a child's welfare
• forms a reasonable belief that a person or property is at risk
• becomes aware of possible fraud or a criminal act.
  

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