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Justice Murray Kellam AO
Chair

News

9th National Mediation Conference

The Attorney General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, gave the opening address at the 9th National Mediation Conference, which was held in Perth between 10 and 12 September. In his speech, Mr McClelland reiterated his support for greater use of ADR saying ‘We must recognise the wisdom of earlier resolution of disputes by those involved, to develop a culture where attempts are made to resolve matters without immediately resorting to litigation’. The Attorney-General noted that the development and implementation of the National Mediator Accreditation System has been encouraged and supported by the Australian Government and by NADRAC. He said that the new accreditation system is ‘a first-class example of what can be achieved when various groups across a diverse industry work together’. The Attorney-General said that he sees a key role for ADR in reducing the cost of civil justice and for that reason has asked NADRAC to look at what  type of incentives would encourage greater use of ADR and what barriers to ADR need to be removed (see ADR and Civil Proceedings Reference page).

The Attorney-General's speech: The Hon Robert McClelland MP

ADR in Government Forum

NADRAC, in conjunction with Attorney-General’s Department Office of Legal Services Coordination, convened an ADR in Government Forum for senior representatives of government agencies and their legal advisers on 4 June 2008 in Canberra.

The principal address was delivered by the Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland MP. In his speech, Mr McClelland urged government departments and agencies to resolve government disputes through ADR where appropriate without resorting to litigation. He encouraged government agencies to move to a ‘resolution culture’. The Hon Justice Murray Kellam AO (NADRAC Chair), Mr Fabian Dixon SC (Convenor, NADRAC ADR in Government Committee) and Mr Tom Howe QC (Chief Counsel, Litigation, Australian Government Solicitor and newly appointed NADRAC Member) also spoke. This was followed by an opportunity for informal discussion amongst the participants. 

The Forum was attended and well received by over 110 representatives from various government departments, agencies and private law firms.

Forum Speeches:

• The Hon Justice Murray Kellam AO - Word 100KB
• The Hon Justice Murray Kellam AO - PDF 39KB
• The Hon Robert McClelland MP
• Tom Howe QC - PDF 183KB
• Fabian Dixon SC - Word 111KB
• Fabian Dixon SC - PDF 48KB

First National Mediator Accreditation Committee Meeting

The National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC) has been a longstanding advocate for the development of a national, voluntary industry accreditation standard for mediators. The Council was very pleased to see uniform standards implemented in the form of the new National Mediator Accreditation System which commenced on 1 January 2008.

A National Mediator Accreditation Committee has been formed to oversee the implementation of the National Mediator Accreditation System and subsequently establish a permanent National Mediators Standard Body in 2010. The Committee’s membership comprises mediation organisations, training and education providers, professional bodies and Commonwealth and State government representatives.

NADRAC hosted the historic first meeting of the National Mediator Accreditation Committee on 5 March 2008 in Canberra. The Chair of NADRAC, the Hon Justice Murray Kellam AO, delivered a welcoming address and Professor Nadja Alexander facilitated the Committee’s discussions.

The meeting brought together more than sixty senior representatives from the mediation sector to work together with the shared objective of advancing mediation practice. The meeting discussed a broad range of issues such as membership criteria, voting procedures, implementation procedures, complaints handling, training and continuing education requirements and funding.

 

ADR is used throughout the site to refer to "alternative dispute resolution"