Mediation in legal battles supported

8/4/94

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes has backed mediation as a way of solving disputes before those involved became embroiled in costly and stressful legal battles.

Mrs Edwardes said the Coalition Government supported the role of mediation to the extent where the Ministry of Justice was investigating developing a mediation model for Western Australia.

"We are still in the early stages yet but the planning phase will be completed this year and it is our intention to provide an alternative dispute resolution program throughout the community," Mrs Edwardes said.

"I believe mediation is an invaluable alternative which should be made available to all.  So often problems are not actually resolved in court to the satisfaction of those concerned.

"Mediation speeds up the process of resolving issues for people - once they get involved in litigation the chances are it will take months to sort out even if they do not end up in court.

"Mediation breaks that cycle."

Mrs Edwardes was addressing 120 family mediators from around Australia who were attending the second national conference of family mediators.

"This process is about giving power back to people.

"It is a chance for people to sit down and talk the problem through.  It provides an opportunity to hear each other clearly and to avoid the win or lose situation."

Mrs Edwardes said WA also boasted the first community-driven project dealing with the complex issue of Aboriginal family disputes.

The Aboriginal Alternative Dispute Resolution Project began in 1991 through the efforts of Aboriginal community leaders with support from the State Government Committee on Aboriginal/Police and Community Relations.

The Ministry of Justice took responsibility for the program last month.

The success of this project, which began in 1991, was acknowledged recently when it was highly commended in the Australian Violence Prevention Awards.

"It involves trained Aboriginal community mediators who help all parties to a dispute discuss their grievances and, hopefully, resolve them," Mrs Edwardes said.

"It is an outstanding example of just how successfully mediation can work and we look forward to its further development as part of the Ministry."

Mrs Edwardes said many mediators gave their time voluntarily, saying they were prepared to do so because the work was rewarding and worthwhile.

"While a dispute between neighbours over a fence or overhanging tree can appear trivial to outsiders it can often have a devastating effect on two families," the Minister said.

"A mediator may be able to help the parties involved solve the issue to everyone's satisfaction which makes the work they do invaluable to the community."

Media contact:  Caroline Lacy 222 9595