If you’re in the middle of a family law dispute and the court has ordered a Conciliation Conference, you might wonder what to expect and how to make the most of it. A Conciliation Conference is essentially a court-ordered mediation aimed at helping you and your former partner resolve your property or financial issues without the need for a drawn-out court battle. It’s your opportunity to settle things with less stress, less expense, and in less time. Let’s break down how it all works.
What’s the Purpose of a Conciliation Conference?
The goal of a Conciliation Conference is to reach an agreement in a way that minimizes conflict. Unlike court hearings, this process takes place in a more collaborative setting, often in front of a Judicial Registrar who will guide both parties to explore resolutions.
How It Works?
Introduction and Preparation: Here, the Judicial Registrar will outline their role, confirm the issues in dispute, and address any safety concerns. They’ll ensure both parties have disclosed necessary financial information and set a constructive tone for the session.
Exploring Solutions: This is the heart of the conference. The Registrar will help you and the other party identify areas where you agree, discuss options for resolving remaining issues, and encourage open dialogue to find a middle ground.
Concluding the Session: If an agreement is reached, the Registrar can make formal consent orders on the spot. If you can’t agree on everything, the Registrar may identify the next steps and issue a Certificate of Dispute Resolution, which the court will consider if the case continues.
How to Prepare for Your Conciliation Conference
Preparation can be key to getting the most out of the process. A few tips:
- Gather Your Financial Information: Make sure you’ve disclosed all relevant documents, including bank statements, tax returns, and debt details. Full transparency is crucial.
- Consider Your Goals: Think about what outcomes you’re aiming for and any areas where you might compromise.
- Keep an Open Mind: Flexibility can help smooth negotiations, so come prepared to listen and consider options you might not have thought about.
What If You Don’t Agree?
Not every Conciliation Conference ends in agreement, and that’s okay. If you don’t reach a resolution, you’ll likely proceed to further court events. However, the discussions during the conference are privileged, meaning they can’t be used against you in court—unless there are serious concerns such as abuse or violence.
Need Guidance?
Navigating family law processes can be challenging, but you don’t have to go it alone. Reach out to Coastal Lawyers to discuss how we can support you through the Conciliation Conference and beyond.
Written by Coastal Lawyers- Central Coast Family Lawyers
Coastal Lawyers are family lawyers based in Erina, on the Central Coast.
Coastal Lawyers assist family law clients in parenting, property, mediation, dispute resolution, and litigation. We offer the legal advice you expect from a lawyer, along with the emotional support you might not expect.
We are passionate about assisting our clients achieve amicable separations without the need for court intervention through the process of legally assisted mediation.
Our team also frequently appears at the Newcastle Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Newcastle FCFCOA), the Parramatta Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Parramatta FCFCOA), and the Sydney Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Sydney FCFCOA) to represent our clients in more intricate family law matters. This encompasses issues related to family violence, unacceptable risk of harm to children, relocation applications, recovery orders and complex property settlements.
Coastal Lawyers offer a 1 hour Strategy Session for all new family law enquiries at a reduced hourly rate.