Victoria has brought in an international expert on judge-led mediation to educate the State’s judiciary ahead of a pilot mediation program to be implemented in its courts.
Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls yesterday announced Justice Louise Otis, formerly of the Quebec Court of Appeal, would be standing in for a week-long tour on judge-led mediation.
The Brumby Government has committed $17.8 million over four years to improve the availability of ADR in the courts and the community.
“Judge-led mediation in our higher courts is a cornerstone of that commitment to ADR,” Hulls said.
A judge, support staff and an ADR co-ordination have been appointed to both the Supreme and County Courts as part of the two-year pilot.
“This increase in resources places ADR firmly within the court system,” Hulls said.
