Hi to all, and I must say it is interesting reading with regards to the different thoughts on Mediation with the optional benefit of common sense thrown into the mix. I have been an FDRP for 11 years now with 9.5 years with a major org as an FDRP and family group educator (Parenting Program) and now have my own practise, I always do my best for my clients by using a common sense approach and hope it becomes contagious within the process. I could not tell you how many family mediations I have conducted, some with support persons involved, however only one with Lawyers as support persons for both parties. In reality I learnt a lot about the necessity of being in control during the mediation process, e.g. (Lawyers doing what they are trained to do represent their clients and get to a resolution quickly.) In my opinion legal advice is paramount for clients deciding what to do and where to from here when a family is destroyed, especially from the children's perspective. It was drummed into me at UNI, mediation is not counselling, since then I have come to realise the importance as a FDR to recognise if clients are in a good place emotionally before attempting mediation.
One seminar I attended through Family Law Pathways, there were Lawyers, Barristers and FDRP's present and I will always remember what a Legal Aid Lawyer said from the floor...As a lawyer conducting mediation I feel we lawyers need to be Bi-Polar. That raises the question for me, who is really conducting the mediation, the lawyer or mediator?? How difficult it must be for the lawyer to have to listen to a client instead of giving advice.
Last year I completed my TAE cert 4 for the purpose of training FDRP's and it became very obvious to me that a big majority of students have in fact completed a law degree and or are practising law. I ask what is the current trend, are mediators being replaced? I am a family mediator with no desire to study law, I just want to support parents get the best out of their difficult situation for the kids and a better life for them.
------------------------------
Robert Tilbrooke
Tillys Mediation
Alice River QLD
407623522
------------------------------