Who we are
The Australian Dispute Resolution Association Inc. (ADRA) brings together dispute resolution practitioners to provide them with the following:
- An opportunity to become a Nationally Accredited Mediator under the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS)
- An Approved Complaints Body for family dispute resolution practitioners (FDRPs)
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Networking events
- Free mediator practice role play network
- Mentoring and supervision support
- International Conferences, seminars and workshops
ADRA was established in 1986 and has been at the forefront of dispute resolution in Australia and Asia, including Family Courts and ADR infrastructure in Mongolia.
We embrace all forms of dispute resolution, especially emerging specialities, such as Elder Mediation and Divorce Coaches. ADRA prides itself not only in our heritage, but in our commitment to future development of and opportunities for dispute resolution.
Collaborations
ADRA has formed links with the Australian Psychological Society (APS), particularly with the APS Interest Group, Dispute Resolution and Psychology (DR&Psych), and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL).
ADRA is also forging links with Leadership Programs in NSW Universities to attract the younger generation to the field of dispute resolution
ADRA - supporting and transforming the community of dispute resolution practice.
ADRA promotes excellence in the practice, theory and research of dispute resolution, and provides leadership, growth and direction within the profession.
In January 2013 Nicole Ash developed and distributed a survey to ADRA members. The responses showed that 89% of members who responded were either satisfied or extremely satisfied with ADRA services and 91% said they would recommend ADRA to a colleague.
Congratulations to you all for being part of this wonderfully productive, lively organisation!
With thanks to all the Board members who have worked for ADRA over the years and all the members who have supported ADRA’s activities but who have not been mentioned in this brief account.
Thanks, too, to Paula Castile, Linda Fisher and Val Sinclair who contributed to the development of this paper.
What ADRA can do for you.
Peer Support Sessions.
Members can contact their allocated executive peer or another executive peer at agreed times to discuss any issue relating to dispute resolution. Time spent in doing so counts as CPD points provided a note is kept by both parties of the discussions held. Discussions may involve “sounding board facilities” in relation to difficult matters that are being mediated or may involve ideas around how to further a mediation business.
Mediator Practice Network (MPN) Sessions.
Four MPNs are organised for the year – two are held at the Law Society on a Monday nights from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and a further two are held on Saturday mornings on Level 4, RSL Club, George Street, Sydney, from 10:30am to 1:30pm. Monday nights score two CPD points and Saturdays score 3 CPD points. As ADRA is a voluntary organisation we ask for a nominal contribution of $10.00 from members and $25.00 from visitors who are most welcome, to help defray the costs of refreshments. Please click here for more information on our events schedule for the year.
- MPN sessions give accredited mediators an opportunity to further their skills with two advanced mediators as convenors.
* Generally there is vigorous discussion and exchange of ideas at the meetings. - ADRA members can organise a group.
Professional Workshops.
ADRA conducts bi-monthly one day workshops for which 7 CPD points are allocated. Guest speakers are cutting edge presenters for novel approaches in dispute resolution. Please click here for more information on our events schedule for the year.
ADRA offers many opportunities for members to participate in our activities, which is unique to other dispute resolution associations and your presence at these events would be gratefully appreciated.
- ADRA Meetings. All ADRA members are able to attend our executive meetings, including AGMs, which are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Level 2, Law Society, 170 Phillip Street, Sydney. Members should attend by 5:30pm, let their name be known to the chairperson and are encouraged to participate in the meeting. This is a facility demonstrates ADRA’s inclusive nature and its volunteer basis, which no other dispute resolution organisation offers. Attendance attracts CPD points.
- Seminar Presentations. Any ADRA member can offer to present a seminar on any topic about which they are passionate in relation to dispute resolution by contacting an executive member as per the website. The executive member will bring the request to the Board and a date will be set for the event to occur.
- Publications. Any ADRA member is encouraged to submit any written works to be published on our website once vetted by our Publication Officer. Please speak to an executive member as per our website for further information on how to publish documents.
- Mediator Profiles. If you have not already done so you may also care to upload onto our website your Mediator Profile, which includes a 100 word biography outlining your specialties in dispute resolution.
Accreditation.
As an RMAB, ADRA accredits its members for placement of their names on the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) List. If you keep a record of your attendances at the ADRA meetings whether as participant or presenter this will be counted towards CPD points for re-accreditation purposes.
Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Complaints Handling System
ADRA is proud to provide members ongoing access to our complaints handling mechanism. Please click here for more information.
Major Initiatives
- Acknowledging the significance of domestic violence in family law under Peter Irving’s presidency (see History of ADRA)
- Initiating the development of the Australian Dispute Resolution Journal under Jennifer David and Ruth Charlton (see History of ADRA)
- Development of the Complaints Handling Template adopted by the National Mediation Advisory Council (NMAC; forerunner of the Mediator Standards Board [MSB]; see History of ADRA under ‘Policy’ and the Complaints Process)
- The establishment of the Industry Forum for Dispute Resolution (IFDR; click here) – In 2018, IFDR changed its name to Council for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR) to eliminate confusion with FDRPs (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners).