James Papas Solicitors acknowledges the Darug people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, and pays respect to Elders past, present, and emerging.

Family Dispute Resolution

Family Mediation
without the courtroom

Most separating families never need a judge. Our Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner helps you resolve parenting and property matters by agreement — faster, cheaper, and with far less conflict. Section 60I certificates issued where required.

Free First Consultation(02) 9633 3122
Why Mediation

You decide the outcome —
not a judge.

Family Dispute Resolution is a confidential mediation process guided by an accredited practitioner. For most parenting matters, the Family Law Act requires you to genuinely attempt FDR before you can apply to court — so the real question is not whether to mediate, but how well.

Shanthi Anandarajah is both a practising family law solicitor and an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner — a combination that means your mediation is run by someone who understands what a court would actually consider, and what an agreement needs to say to hold up.

Sessions are conducted in English or Tamil, in person at Parramatta or by video.

Book a Mediation Intake

Mediation can resolve:

✓Parenting arrangements after separation
✓Property and financial settlement discussions
✓Changeover, holidays and schooling disputes
✓Communication breakdowns between co-parents
✓Grandparent and extended family time
✓Preparing parenting plans and consent orders
Compared to court: mediated matters typically resolve in weeks rather than the many months (often more than a year) contested proceedings take — at a fraction of the legal cost.
What to Expect

How FDR works

1

Intake & assessment

Each party speaks with the practitioner separately first. We assess whether mediation is suitable and safe — including screening for family violence — and explain how the process works.

2

The mediation session

A structured, confidential discussion guided by the practitioner. Each party is heard, the real issues are identified, and options are explored — in person, by phone or by video.

3

Reaching agreement

Agreements can be recorded as a parenting plan, or turned into legally binding consent orders filed with the court — without anyone attending a hearing.

4

If agreement is not reached

A section 60I certificate can be issued where required, allowing a parenting application to proceed to the Federal Circuit and Family Court. You lose nothing by trying mediation first.

Required to attempt mediation?
Do it with a practitioner who knows the law.

Free Consultation(02) 9633 3122
Common Questions

Family Mediation FAQs

QWhat is Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)?
FDR is a structured mediation process, run by an accredited practitioner, that helps separating families resolve parenting and property disputes without going to court. It is confidential, faster and far less expensive than litigation, and the parties — not a judge — control the outcome.
QIs mediation compulsory before going to court?
For most parenting matters, yes. Under section 60I of the Family Law Act, you generally must attempt Family Dispute Resolution and obtain a certificate from an accredited FDR practitioner before filing a parenting application. Exceptions apply, including urgency and family violence.
QWhat is a section 60I certificate?
A certificate issued by an accredited FDR practitioner confirming that FDR was attempted (or was not appropriate). The Federal Circuit and Family Court generally requires this certificate before it will accept a parenting application.
QWho conducts the mediation?
Shanthi Anandarajah, an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, conducts family mediation in English and Tamil. As a practising family law solicitor, she brings both legal knowledge and mediation accreditation to the process.
QIs mediation confidential?
Yes. With limited exceptions (such as risks to safety), what is said in FDR is confidential and generally cannot be used as evidence in court. This allows both parties to speak openly and explore settlement honestly.
QWhat if there has been family violence?
Safety comes first. Every mediation begins with a private intake and screening. Where FDR is not appropriate, we advise on the court pathway and the exemptions that apply, and can issue the appropriate certificate.
QHow much does family mediation cost?
Substantially less than contested court proceedings — most matters resolve in one or two sessions. We explain fees clearly at your free first consultation, and government-funded services such as Family Relationship Centres are also available for those who qualify.
QCan mediation deal with property as well as children?
Yes. FDR can cover parenting arrangements, property division or both. Property agreements reached in mediation can be formalised as consent orders or a binding financial agreement so they are enforceable.
Further Reading
What Happens at Family Mediation? →Family Law Services →Consent Orders vs Financial Agreements →Meet Shanthi Anandarajah →