Top award for agency
Family law mediators recognised
An innovative model of family law mediation, developed by a special collective of Toowoomba family lawyers, has taken out a highly coveted award at the Australian Alternative Dispute Resolution Awards.
The group’s Family Relationship Centre team achieved national recognition by taking out the Australian ADR Project of the Year award.
CatholicCare Social Services Toowoomba’s acting team leader Sonia Brown said the FRC was made up of leading family lawyers from across the Garden City, using their skills to deliver legal support so that separated families could make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary legal battles.
“It was an incredible honour for CatholicCare and our local family lawyers to be recognised at this level,” she said.
“Obviously, separated families in our region are the biggest winners when it comes to quality dispute resolution services, but it’s lovely for the team of professionals behind the project to be celebrated for their efforts as well.”
It wasn’t CatholicCare Social Services Toowoomba’s only award with Ms Brown receiving the Australian Community Mediator of the Year award.
“I was so very proud to accept this award on behalf of CatholicCare and our dedicated collective of family lawyers,” she said.
“It’s undoubtedly our lawyers who are the real heroes in this tale.
“They generously contribute their time and expertise to help FRC clients, which can completely change the future trajectory for separated families in our region.
“It allows participants to feel confident in the decisions they make for their family and supports them to focus their attention beyond past hurts and back to the crucially important job of raising their children,” she said.
CatholicCare acknowledges the organisations who generously provide ongoing support to FRC clients including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, Briese Lawyers, Best Wilson Buckley Family Law, Clewett Lawyers, Dean Kath Kohler Solicitors, Donaldson Law, Edgar and Wood Solicitors, Family Centred Law, Hede Byrne Hall Lawyers, Kennedy Spanner Lawyers, MacDonald Law, RedHill Legal, Wonderley Hall.
While there are 65 Family Relationship Centres across Australia, CatholicCare’s Toowoomba FRC was the only one to successfully establish a sustainable model of legally assisted mediation that transcends financial constraints, delivers timely legal support, and keeps most separated families out of court.