The family law dispute resolution spectrum

Abstract

In recent times the Australian family law dispute resolution system has become increasingly complex and there have been a variety of processes specifically developed for family disputes. This has meant that non-adversarial practice in Australian family law has expanded and that both dispute resolution practitioners and family lawyers require a high level of understanding of the system in order to effectively operate within it. This article assists both groups of practitioners by creating a conceptual framework for the dispute resolution options available to family law clients. It describes and categorises the array of options and then locates them along a linear family law dispute resolution spectrum. Such a conceptual framework can also assist family lawyers to effectively advise and prepare their clients.