News Archive
New Chair appointed
NADRAC is excited to announce the appointment of its new Chair, Mr Jeremy Gormly SC. Mr Gormly’s professional biography can be accessed on the Council Members page.
In making the appointment, Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland noted that “Mr Gormly has extensive experience in Government disputes and inquiries, as well as in the practice of mediation generally. He will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to NADRAC.”
The existing NADRAC members welcome and look forward to working with Mr Gormly.
Report on National Principles and supporting Guide completed
NADRAC has presented its latest report to the Attorney-General, which identifies NADRAC's National Principles for Resolving Disputes and provides a supporting Guide for users of ADR.
NADRAC views the Guide as a useful tool for anyone interested in using or understanding more about ADR processes and the National Principles.
Background information about the reference and electronic copies of the report are available on the National Principles and Guide page. NADRAC welcomes any feedback readers have on the Guide.
Report on Integrity of ADR Processes released
NADRAC has released its latest report, Maintaining and enhancing the integrity of ADR processes: From principles to practice through people.
The Attorney‑General thanked NADRAC for its work, saying that the Report is “a welcome contribution to discussions on the integrity of ADR processes and developing strong and accessible services in every state and territory.”
Background information about the reference and electronic copies of the Report are available on the Integrity of ADR processes page.
NADRAC hosts the fourth National ADR Research Forum
NADRAC hosted the fourth National ADR Research Forum on 16-17 July 2010 at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University in Brisbane. The Forum was extremely successful and was attended by over 130 participants from across Australia and overseas. Further details about the Forum, including papers, are available on the National ADR Research Forums page.
Report on ADR in the Federal Civil Justice System Released
On 4 November 2009 the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, launched NADRAC’s latest report The Resolve to Resolve: Embracing ADR to improve access to justice in the federal jurisdiction.
When launching the report at Parliament House, the Attorney-General warmly welcomed NADRAC’s ‘comprehensive report’, noting that it will provide a framework for future work by Government to increase the use of ADR in Australia.
The Chair of NADRAC, Prof the Hon Murray Kellam AO also spoke at the launch.
Background information about the reference, and electronic copies of the report, are available on the ADR and Civil Proceedings Reference page.
NADRAC Chair with the Attorney-General at the launch.
NADRAC Chair with the Hon Sir Laurence Street AC KCMG QC
Indigenous Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management Case Study Report Released
NADRAC in conjunction with the Federal Court of Australia released a report entitled Solid Work you Mob are doing: Case Studies in Indigenous Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management in Australia.
This important report presents the research findings of an investigation into effective practices for managing conflict involving Indigenous people. Further information about this report and recommendations arising from it are available on the Indigenous Dispute Resolution webpage.
The report was launched by the Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP on 4 September 2009 at the Federal Court in Sydney.
Electronic copies of this report (and recommendations) are available on the Publications page.
9th National Mediation Conference
The Attorney General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, gave the opening address at the 9th National Mediation Conference, which was held in Perth between 10 and 12 September. In his speech, Mr McClelland reiterated his support for greater use of ADR saying ‘We must recognise the wisdom of earlier resolution of disputes by those involved, to develop a culture where attempts are made to resolve matters without immediately resorting to litigation’. The Attorney-General noted that the development and implementation of the National Mediator Accreditation System has been encouraged and supported by the Australian Government and by NADRAC. He said that the new accreditation system is ‘a first-class example of what can be achieved when various groups across a diverse industry work together’. The Attorney-General said that he sees a key role for ADR in reducing the cost of civil justice and for that reason has asked NADRAC to look at what type of incentives would encourage greater use of ADR and what barriers to ADR need to be removed (see ADR and Civil Proceedings Reference page).
The Attorney-General's speech: The Hon Robert McClelland MP
The Hon Justice Murray Kellam AO gave an address on the third day of the Mediation Conference on the implementation of the National Mediator Accreditation System and provided an update on its progress.
ADR in Government Forum
NADRAC, in conjunction with Attorney-General’s Department Office of Legal Services Coordination, convened an ADR in Government Forum for senior representatives of government agencies and their legal advisers on 4 June 2008 in Canberra.
The principal address was delivered by the Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland MP. In his speech, Mr McClelland urged government departments and agencies to resolve government disputes through ADR where appropriate without resorting to litigation. He encouraged government agencies to move to a ‘resolution culture’. The Hon Justice Murray Kellam AO (NADRAC Chair), Mr Fabian Dixon SC (Convenor, NADRAC ADR in Government Committee) and Mr Tom Howe QC (Chief Counsel, Litigation, Australian Government Solicitor and newly appointed NADRAC Member) also spoke. This was followed by an opportunity for informal discussion amongst the participants.
The Forum was attended and well received by over 110 representatives from various government departments, agencies and private law firms.
Forum Speeches: