One Barrister's Perspective on Settlement.

In recent days, while attending a function at the Family Court, I chatted with a barrister whom I knew well, about his work generally and the state of the list in the Brisbane Registry.

The barrister who enjoys a strong reputation in Family Law remarked that he hadn't done a trial in ages. " All of my matters seem to settle before trial, many of them at mediation ", he said.

When pressed further as to why this was so, the barrister volunteered that apart from the obvious issue of costs and parties not being able to afford to go to trial, it was the uncertainty of the outcome that was also a factor. Clients regularly ask me whether I can guarantee them a better outcome if they go to trial and inevitably the answer is " no I can't " he said.

The costs issue is self evident and this combined with the uncertainty of outcome, make up what lawyers and mediators refer to as the risk factor which in most cases is a strong deterrent to parties proceeding to trial.

Vale Charles Cooper

I was deeply saddened today to hear of the death of friend and colleague Charles Cooper after a long illness.

Charles was a big bloke with a big personality.

Hard working, intelligent and courageous, Charles was a fierce advocate for his clients who along with his opponents, all knew they had a fighter when they engaged him.

Charles loved a chat and always had a quick-witted (often sarcastic) comment or word of advice ready to share along with his inimitable smile or laugh.

Charles was fun to be around and when not talking about his children (of whom he was clearly very proud), talked about his cases with relish and passion.

Our thoughts and love are with Di and the family who all shared his fight to the end.

I will miss you mate !!!

Panel of Mediators

Brisbane Mediations has an extensive panel of mediators available to assist with Mediations requiring to be organised at short notice.

Let us take the worry out of your next mediation by organising all aspects in a competent and efficient manner.

Our rates are competitive and we enjoy a strong reputation for our outcomes and professionalism.

Look at our website www.brisbanemediations.com.au for more information or call Gail on 3839 7400.

Welcome news on Domestic Violence

Great to see that Malcolm Turnbull will make disturbingly high rates of violence against women his first order of business, declaring that the scourge had been overlooked for too long (SMH 24/9).

According to reports,duty lawyers will be employed at hospitals in domestic violence "hotspots"as part of a $40 million plus package fighting domestic violence.

$13.5 million will be spent over three years on "DV-alert"training for police,social workers,emergency department staff and community workers.

These are just some of the changes to be announced which would be welcomed by all concerned to halt the spread of domestic violence in the community.

Could conversation ever die out ?

At a time when jobs and even relationships can be terminated by text message and emails are increasingly used to communicate in place of speaking, one could be excused for thinking that conversation may not only be diminished as a form of communication but possibly even die out.

On reading an interesting article contemplating the loss of the spoken word, I came across this prophetic little poem of British poet Louis MacNiece penned as far back as 1957. It is worth a read in our busy day when we are constantly reminded that our " calls may be monitored for training purposes."

                                                         To Posterity

When books have all seized up like the books in graveyards.

And reading and even speaking have been replaced

By other less difficult, media, we wonder if you

Will find in flowers and fruit the same colour and taste

They held for us for whom they were framed in words.

And will your grass be green, your sky be blue.

Or will your birds be always wingless birds?

Panellist- Anna Faoagali

By providing a panel of mediators, Brisbane Mediations is able to offer a range of mediators with particular specialities.

One such mediator is Anna Faoagali who is particularly adept at assisting parties in conflict over commercial and workplace issues and is highly regarded in Workplace dispute resolution.

Anna undertook formal training at the Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria), where she worked for four years.

Anna's contracts for Complaint Management, Appeals and Dispute Resolution have included: The Energy and Water Ombudsman, Commonwealth Ombudsman,Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, Queensland Ombudsman, Relationship Centres and Interlock.

Anna has also been engaged by a number of Employee Assistance Programs to deliver Workplace Intakes, Mediations and Workshops.

Despite her penchant for Workplace dispute resolution, Anna is also a Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and able to issue S60I Certificates under The Family Law Act 1975 and has over ten years experience in Clinical Mediation and Facilitation.

Please address all enquiries to Brisbane Mediations at resolve@brisbanemediations.com.au or to our website www.brisbanemediations.com.au

Panellist Donna Cooper

One of the unique aspects of Brisbane Mediations is our ability to offer a panel of mediators with a wide range of experience and high level of competence.

One of our most experienced mediators is Donna Cooper who is well known as a Family Mediator and Trainer in Family Dispute Resolution.

Donna is a Nationally Accredited Mediator with previous experience as a Family Lawyer in private practice.

Donna currently teaches Family Dispute Resolution and Family Law in the QUT Law Faculty, publishing regularly in the Family Dispute Resolution area.

Donna is Co-author of the Family Law Text, A Harland et al, Family Law Principles ( Law Book Co; 2011 ) and regularly presents papers at Conferences in the Family Dispute area.

We are pleased to offer Donna's services as a highly respected member of the Brisbane Mediation's panel.

Please direct any enquiries to Brisbane Mediations at resolve@brisbanemediations.com.au or to our website www.brisbanemediations.com.au