UWA Mediation Clinic
Providing mediation services and training
About us
The UWA Mediation Clinic is dedicated to providing excellence in the practice, research, and teaching of mediation and dispute resolution.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, we work with our clients on both individual and team-orientated bases to tailor dispute resolution services to best suit your individual circumstances.
We collaborate with a wide network of national and international specialists, including lawyers, barristers, mediators, and practitioners, as well as researchers from a variety of disciplines and professional backgrounds, to meet our ultimate aim: to assist the communities in which we live and work to thrive.
How our approach to dispute resolution is different
We collaborate with a team of world-class researchers and practitioners to incorporate theoretically-driven and evidence-based psychological concepts into our skills-base and approach to dispute resolution.By providing a theory-informed framework to assist mediators to understand what might be motivating the behaviours of people in conflict, we have found that the efficacy of facilitative dispute resolution processes can be enhanced. Specifically, our approach is informed by contemporary mentalizing literature which we have adapted to be user-friendly and directly applicable to mediators from a range of backgrounds and professions.
Facilitative dispute resolution processes offer participants an opportunity to engage in a way that encourages future-focused self-determination and promotes harmony. We believe that the best way to achieve this is to use mentalizing concepts to help participants build a full and flexible understanding of their experiences and those of the other people involved in the situation.
Our services
Training, Workshops, and CPD
We work closely with the UWA Law School to offer internationally recognised courses, including Mediation Accreditation (NMAS), Family Dispute Resolution (FDRP), and a range of continuing professional development opportunities (CPD). These courses are open to staff, alumni, community members, and professionals from a range of disciplines.
We also offer a range of mediation skills and dispute resolution courses that can be tailored to the needs of your organisation or workplace.
Upcoming in 2024
- Accreditation as a National Mediator NMAS Face-to-Face 6 day intensive June 2024
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This 6-day version of the NMAS course is for professionals who wish to add mediation to their skill base. Our participants tend to come from a range of backgrounds, including family law, HR, psychology, social work, Government, and educational institutions. As the curriculum complies with the educational requirements of the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS), upon successful completion, participants are eligible for registration as a Nationally Accredited Mediator. The course includes core modules, a coaching workshop, and National Accreditation assessment. Modules attract Legal CPD points and Psychologist CPD points.
Course details
- Training dates: Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 and Monday 24 – Tuesday 25 June 2024, 9.00am – 5.00pm
- Accreditation day: Wednesday 26 June (9.00am – 5.00pm)
- Venue: UWA Law School
- Cost: $3,300 (incl. GST) – includes $150 fee to apply for registration with the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) as a Nationally Accredited Mediator for two years
- Payments: Credit card (via link below) or invoice (please email us). We can also offer payment via instalments (please email us)
- Discounts: Available for UWA staff and students, and for bookings of 3 or more (please email us)
- Facilitator: UWA Mediation Clinic staff
- Queries: [email protected]
Register your attendance
- Accreditation as a National Mediator (NMAS) - Face-to-Face - 1 night/week for 10 weeks (Aug-Oct, 2024)
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This 10-week version of the NMAS course is for professionals who wish to add mediation to their skill base. As the curriculum complies with the educational requirements of the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS), upon completion, participants are eligible for registration as a Nationally Accredited Mediator.
The course includes core modules, a coaching workshop, and National Accreditation assessment.
Modules attract Legal CPD points and Psychologist CPD points.
Course details
- Training dates: Tuesday evenings (6-9pm), beginning Tuesday 13 August through Tuesday 15 Oct
- Accreditation day: Saturday 19 October (9-3pm)
- Venue: UWA Law School
- Cost: $3,300 (incl GST) – includes $150 fee to apply for registration with the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) as a Nationally Accredited Mediator for two years
- Payments: Credit card (via link below) or invoice (please email us). We can also offer payment via instalments (please email us)
- Discounts: Available for UWA staff and students, and for bookings of 3 or more (please email us)
- Facilitator: UWA Mediation Clinic staff
- Queries: [email protected]
Registration
- NMAS Mediation Refresher Day & Re-Accreditation Day – Online (November 2024)
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The NMAS Mediation Refresher Day is for accredited mediators who have previously completed a NMAS training course and who, prior to attending the Re-accreditation Day, would like to be refreshed on the facilitative model, have an opportunity to practice their skills, and receive some coaching.
The NMAS Re-Accreditation Day is for mediators who have previously completed a UWA NMAS training course and would like to apply for re-accreditation, but have not completed the requisite number of practice/CPD hours in the previous 2 years.
Course details- Dates:
- NMAS Mediation Refresher Day, Friday 8 November
- NMAS Re-Accreditation Day, Saturday 9 November 2024
- Time: 7:30am – 3:30pm (Perth AWST)
- Venue: This course will be delivered online via Zoom conferencing
- Facilitator: UWA Mediation Clinic staff
- Cost for NMAS Mediation Refresher Day only: $440 (incl. GST)
- Cost for NMAS Re-Accreditation Day only: $550 (incl. GST) – includes fee to apply for registration with the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) as a Nationally Accredited Mediator for two years
- Cost for both days: $770 (incl. GST) – includes fee to apply for registration with the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) as a Nationally Accredited Mediator for two years
- Queries: [email protected]
- Dates:
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) training courses
Registrations for our FDRP program are now open.
For further information, please visit Family Dispute Resolution Training
Family Mediation / Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) services
We are now offering family mediation and FDR services for families going through separation.
For further information, please visit our FDR page: Family Dispute Resolution Services
Mediation and Dispute Resolution Services
We work with nationally accredited mediators, and take a co-mediator approach to mediation. This means that two mediators will be working together to assist you.
All of our process begin with an individual, confidential pre-mediation meeting.
What happens in the pre-mediation meeting?
The pre-mediation meeting will be with you (and support people where appropriate), either in person or on a video call. In this meeting, we will talk about what has been happening for you in the situation. We will work out together whether mediation is suitable for you and, if so, what format it might take.
What happens in mediation?
Mediation is essentially a talking process. The mediators will help you to have a constructive conversation with the other person or people involved in the dispute. We have found that when people are able to share their experiences, it leads to a better understanding of the situation and helps them to come up with ways to resolve conflict.
In the mediation process, you make your own decisions about how to move forward. Mediation sessions usually take about 3 hours, and some matters may require more than one session.
The mediators will guide you through the process, which will be fully explained in the pre-mediation meeting.
Research and Program Evaluation
The UWA Mediation Clinic is premised upon building an evidence-based practice of mediation. Our goal is to improve mediation and dispute resolution practice for the community.
We have collaborated with a number of leading university, government, and private organisations to develop research and evaluation projects with a focus on conflict literacy and dispute resolution processes.
- For UWA staff and students
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Universities are unique workplaces. Conflicts can occur between students, staff, supervisors, researchers, professional staff, and academic staff.
UWA is proud to offer all UWA staff and students a free mediation service through the Mediation Clinic. The mediation process is an independent and confidential base from which to promote a healthy University environment.
- Workplaces, local government, and community groups
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Conflict within the workplace can affect productivity, creativity and morale.
Where possible, we work with people involved in workplace conflict to improve their communication and understanding. This can help to resolve disputes and reduce the prospect for future conflict.
The UWA Mediation Clinic can discuss with you whether we might be able to work with your organisation in a safe and confidential environment.
This is usually a for-fee service.
- For Children’s court referrals and VROs
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The UWA Mediation Clinic prides itself on its evidence-based practice. Our services for young people and their families encourages perspective taking between all of the people involved.
We work closely and collaboratively with those impacted to find a way forward that aims to minimise future conflict.
This is a free service.
If you have been referred by the Children's Court
The Court will send your contact details to us and we will get in touch with you, usually within 1-2 weeks, to organise a day and time to meet for a confidential pre-mediation meeting.
What happens in the pre-mediation meeting?
The pre-mediation meeting will be with you and your parent/guardian, or you on your own, either in person or on a video call (eg. Facetime, Zoom, Skype). In this meeting, we will talk about what has been happening for you in the situation. We will work out together whether mediation is suitable for you and, if so, what format it might take.
What happens in mediation?
Mediation is essentially a talking process. The mediators will help you to have a conversation with the other person or people involved in the VRO. We have found that when people are able to share their experiences, it leads to a better understanding of the situation and helps them to come up with ways to resolve conflict.
In the mediation process, you make your own decisions about how to move forward.
The mediation usually takes about 3 hours, and the mediators will guide you through the process, which we will fully explain in the pre-mediation meeting.
National Mediation Accreditation/Re-accreditation
Application for National Mediation Accreditation (NMAS)
Step 1. Complete a Mediation Accreditation Training Course, including Skills Assessment and Reflective Component.
Step 2. Download and complete the Application for Accreditation form.
- Application for UWA Accreditation [PDF 871.8 KB]
Step 3. Payment.
- To receive registration as a Nationally Accredited Mediator for two years, there is a cost of $150, which consists of the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) fee, GST, and administration costs for UWA.
- Once your application has been approved, you will be sent the payment details.
Application for National Mediation (NMAS) Re-accreditation
Step 1. Meet the requirements for re-accreditation.
- Refer to PDF in step 2.
Step 2. Download and complete the Application for Re-accreditation form.
- Application for UWA Re-accreditation [PDF 887.0 KB]
Step 3. Payment.
- To receive registration as a Nationally Accredited Mediator for two years, there is a cost of $150, which consists of the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) fee, GST, and administration costs for UWA.
- Once your application has been approved, you will be sent the payment details.
Further information
- UWA is a Registered Mediator Accreditation Body (RMAB).
- Assessments at UWA follow the UWA Assessment Policy [PDF 430.0 KB]
- National Mediation Standards are available on the Mediator Standards Board website.
- A list of nationally accredited mediators is available on the Mediator Standards Board website.
Our Team
- A/Professor Jill Howieson
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Jill Howieson, PhD (Law), LLB (Hons), BA (Hons) (Psych), BA (English) is an Associate Professor in the Law School at the University of Western Australia. Jill is the Director of the UWA Mediation Clinic and is the coordinator of the Negotiation and Mediation, and Dispute Resolution courses.
Jill researches, practises and teaches in these areas, and is the co-author and author of numerous international and national dispute resolution, and negotiation and mediation publications.
- Dr Darren Moroney
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Darren is a registered psychologist and nationally accredited mediator. Currently based in UWA’s Mediation Clinic, Darren conducts mediations and training courses. He is also undertaking research and evaluation projects with the aim of contributing to the evidence base for the field. As a practitioner, Darren has worked with a variety of clients across the lifespan utilising a mentalizing therapeutic framework.
As an academic, Darren has taught and co-ordinated units at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level within the Schools of Psychology and Public Health at Curtin University. He has also supervised numerous Masters-level Dissertations.
- Dr Vincent Mancini
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Vincent is a registered psychologist and nationally accredited mediator. As a Senior Research Fellow based within the UWA Law School, he actively contributes to the research objectives of the UWA Mediation Clinic, which are to design and develop strategies to improve the effectiveness of mediation.
Vincent possesses extensive expertise in research design, methodology, and biostatistics. His primary research interest is concerned with the impact of family functioning on the health and wellbeing of young children. He is also employed as a Senior Research Fellow at Telethon Kids Institute and Adjunct Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Curtin University Medical School.
- Emmelie Sparkes
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Emmelie is a PhD student with a particular interest in clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and working with children. Over the course of her working career she has gained experience in a variety of different support-focussed roles.
Emmelie is a nationally accredited mediator and a provisional psychologist.
Contact the UWA Mediation Clinic
Our collaborators
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| National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) |
Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM) |
Children’s Court of Western Australia |
Supporters
We are proudly supported by the UWA Alumni Fund.