Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) Board

ANNOUNCEMENT | The #AMDRAS Board is delighted to announce several new appointments to our Board of Directors. We warmly welcome Ange Beasley, Adam Rosser, and Arnela Tolic as our new Directors. Each brings a wealth of skills and experience to the board, and we are confident they will contribute significantly to supporting our members and the broader mediation and dispute resolution community. Over the coming months, we look forward to introducing them to you in greater detail. At this time, we also wish to express our sincere gratitude to our outgoing directors: Peter Condliffe PhD, Christopher Boyle, Linda Kochanski AM, and Miriam Ziegler, as well as our longstanding Secretariat, Jenny Watson. Having reached the conclusion of their terms, or retirement as is the case with Jenny, each are stepping down from their roles and will be sorely missed. Their dedication and invaluable contributions over the years – particularly during this recent period of transition and innovation – have been instrumental in shaping AMDRAS’s growth. Additionally, we are pleased to welcome Sarah Friesen as our new Secretariat. With her extensive background in executive support, stakeholder engagement, and office management, Sarah brings a strong commitment to excellence and collaboration to both #AMDRAS and its Board of Directors. In summary, #Thankyou & #Welcome. Together we look forward to continuing to support our members, trainers, accredited mediators and the broader dispute resolution community. #NMAS #MSB #MediationTraining #MediationSkills

THANKYOU | The #AMDRAS Board would like to acknowledge and say a huge thankyou along with a fond farewell to Jenny Watson, our Secretariat Officer who has been with the Board since 2016. Jenny has been a rock upon which all of us who have been Directors, Members and mediators have relied upon over the years, and more recently as we’ve transitioned from NMAS to AMDRAS. Jenny with her patience, skill and great humour has guided us through the labyrinth which is the AMDRAS Board’s work, and it is with mixed emotions that on behalf of the current and past Board that we say thanks, well done and you will be greatly missed. Go well and enjoy a very well earned retirement.

ARTICLE | The #AMDRAS Board is pleased to share the first instalment of a four-part article series by Dr. Peter Condliffe PhD, Chair of the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) Board. Published by The Australian Dispute Resolution Research Network, this series delves into the history and strengths of Australia's #mediation system, and its alignment with international trends. In writing this piece, Dr. Condliffe expands on his presentation at the 2024 Australian Dispute Resolution Association International Mediation Conference, examining how Australia’s decentralised yet robust system, with its cross-disciplinary approach, has helped position the profession as a leader in dispute resolution - and able to adapt to trends identified in the international mediation field. In this opening piece (Part 1), he also shares insights from his involvement with First Nations communities and the challenge of adapting mediation practices to different cultural settings. Whether you're a legal professional, mediator, or simply interested in the Alternative Dispute Resolution landscape, this article offers critical insights into the evolving global mediation field. Read more about Australia's role on the international mediation stage on the ADR Network Blog:.https://lnkd.in/gkcwfm43 #DisputeResolution #Mediation #AMDRAS #ADR #LegalProfession #InternationalMediation #ConflictResolution #MediatorAccreditation #MediatorTraining

Looking for the latest #AMDRAS Guidelines? The #AMDRAS Board has recently published documents, forms and checklists to the AMDRAS website and will continue to email AMDRAS members as new documents are released. To make it easy, we’ve compiled the key documents in one place here: www.amdras.au/resources On this page, you’ll find the latest, updated version of AMDRAS (including notes on changes between versions) along with other recently released documents (September/October 2024). These include: ◼️Guidelines for Accreditation & Accreditation Renewal ◼️Guidelines & an application form for Leading Mediator Accreditation ◼️Guidelines for Alternative Pathways to AMDRAS Accreditation Previously released guidelines are also available in the same place. These include: ◼️Guidelines for Nationally Accredited Mediators to Transition to AMDRAS ◼️AMDRAS - Guidelines for Certificate of Training (COT) ◼️AMDRAS - Guidelines for the Certificate of Assessment (COA) Mediation Simulation ◼️AMDRAS - Guidelines for Certificate of Assessment (Written) As documents are updated and/or released, you’ll continue to receive an email notifying you that a new document or resource is now available. You can also access them at any time on the AMDRAS website: www.amdras.au

How is #Mediation Defined Under the #AMDRAS? The Australian Mediation Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards or AMDRAS, describes #mediation as: “A confidential facilitative process, in which the parties to a dispute endeavour to reach decisions and/or agreements with the help of a dispute resolution practitioner (the mediator). The mediator does not have a determinative role and does not advise the parties unless with their express consent.” The AMDRAS is intended to set out the role and functions of training, assessment, accreditation and regulation of Registered Practitioners, rather than to define the mediation process. In providing a description of mediation, AMDRAS focuses on the knowledge, skills, ethics and responsibilities and professional development required for mediator accreditation. Implicit in its description of mediation are the following core principles: ▪️ Mediation is a confidential facilitative process ▪️ The parties to a dispute endeavour to reach decisions and/or agreement ▪️ The mediator does not have a determinative role and does not advise the parties, unless by consent. The knowledge, skills and ethical principles under AMDRAS are highly transferrable. AMDRAS Accredited Mediators may operate as facilitative mediators, or they might use the professional knowledge, skills, ethics and responsibilities outlined in AMDRAS to work in specialist or blended dispute resolution processes. What’s most important is that practitioners explain this to participants and obtain informed consent to the process that they intend to deliver. For more information on AMDRAS, Mediation and Mediator Accreditation, visit www.amdras.au. #MSB #NMAS #MediationSkills #MediationTraining

ON DEMAND | Our recent Member Engagement Webinar for RAPs ‘Transitioning To AMDRAS’ is now available on demand. ‘Transitioning To AMDRAS’ is now available at https://lnkd.in/gbvmES3G This webinar covers key topics including ◾Differences between #NMAS and #AMDRAS ◾Key documents available to support the transition to AMDRAS ◾Administrative Changes for Recognised Accreditation Providers (RAPs) ◾Resources the board is working on ◾And where to find further support for questions. The board is here to support industry through this transition - we see this as fundamental to our role. UPCOMING Webinars To support Recognised Accreditation Providers, the AMDRAS Board will be holding alternating lunch time and after hour monthly webinars for RAPs on the last Thursday of every month to support the sector through the transition. Where possible, these will be made available to review - however we encourage you to attend and bring any questions you may have with you. There will be separate sessions for Administrators and Officers, and for Training and Assessment professionals operating under AMDRAS. Invitations to upcoming sessions, Q&A and administrative updates will be sent via email, as will details about new Resources to support the transition to AMDRAS. #MediationAccreditation #MediationTraining #TransitionToAmdras #MSB

POSITION VACANT | We are currently seeking an experienced Executive Assistant/Secretariat to support the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) Board. If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, or know of someone who may be, a link to the job advertisement is below. This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a broad, national role with a high degree of autonomy, and one in which you will be involved in all aspects of the operations of the Board. Key responsibilities: ◾Coordinate and attend #AMDRAS Board meetings nationally several times a year ◾Organise and support online Board and sub-committee meetings ◾Prepare reports for the Board and Chairperson and be alert to anything that may affect the smooth running of the organisation ◾Oversee the implementation and management of the AMDRAS National Register ◾Monitor correspondence and ensure the timely response to enquiries from AMDRAS stakeholders ◾Assist with the maintenance and management of the Board records, documents and financials, as required and instructed by the Board. Flexible location (remote work) ** Note: some interstate travel will be required. We are open to restructuring the role should the opportunity present for two people to job share different tasks so do not be deterred from applying if you feel that you can excel in some areas, but not the entirety of the role. All applications will be treated confidentially. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gxdxPdZP #JobOpportunity #ExecutiveAssistant #AMDRAS #MSB

CONGRATULATIONS | Our Board includes several diverse professionals, highly skilled mediators from both legal and non-legal backgrounds, and we are delighted to share that we now have a Member of the Order of Australia on our Board. Linda Kochanski AM is a long standing member of our Board of Directors and highly experienced mediator. Her involvement with the #AMDRAS Board (formerly known as the Mediator Standards Board ) is underscored by a strong interest in the evolution of mediation training and practice delivery modes. She has held various academic positions, where she has conducted research and published extensively on topics related to mediation and dispute resolution. She is also a practicing mediation professional, an experienced supervisor, a trainer and an assessor across a number of disciplines and jurisdictions, bringing with her an extremely diverse, multi-disciplinary perspective that the Board and industry more broadly has benefited from for several years. In June 2024, she received an Order of Australia for her “significant service to the law, particularly dispute resolution, and to tertiary education.” The Order of Australia AM is a prestigious honour awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. Linda’s dedication to advancing the mediation through education, research, and practical application has shaped the careers of countless mediators and our profession nationally. Congratulations Linda, an honour well deserved.

ANNOUNCEMENT | The Mediator Standards Board (#MSB) is now the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (#AMDRAS) Board. 1 July 2024 marked the beginning of the transition period from #NMAS to #AMDRAS, bringing into effect a number of changes and new opportunities that mediators and professionals considering accreditation should take into account. AMDRAS is an evolution of the NMAS to more comprehensive and modern accreditation system, capable of adapting to change and increased significance of non-determinative dispute resolution. This comprehensive set of changes also come with a new name for our Board, now the #AMDRASBoard, and a slightly revised look. Our primary responsibility remains ensuring the development and national implementation of the AMDRAS, but also extends to a strong commitment to ensuring quality, consistency and consumer protection for all stakeholders involved in non-determinative dispute resolution in Australia. This remit remains unchanged. We look forward to continuing to work hard to support our diverse and passionate community throughout the transition, and to ensure we see mediation to move from an “emerging profession” to an established, mature one. Sincerely, The AMDRAS Board Peter Condliffe PhD Stephen Dickinson Linda Kochanski Miriam Ziegler Amber Williams Christopher Boyle Joanne Law Jodie Grant Kirsten Eades

IN THE NEWS | The National Mediator Accreditation System (#NMAS) has been comprehensively reviewed over several years, and following an in-depth professional drafting process, this year sees the transition from NMAS to the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (#AMDRAS). 1 July 2024, marked the beginning of a 12-month transition period from NMAS to AMDRAS, bringing into effect a number of changes and new opportunities that both accredited mediators and those considering accreditation should take into account. This Lawyers Weekly article highlights the key changes for currently accredited mediators and those who use their services, including what’s changing, some elements of national accreditation which will remain unchanged, and why. >> Read the full #article at: https://lnkd.in/gjt2MC5r The board anticipates that AMDRAS will support the provision of mediation services in Australia with a more comprehensive and modern accreditation system, capable of adapting and supporting the increased significance of non-determinative dispute resolution in our legal system. #mediation #mediators #MediationTraining #mediationSkills #AMDRAS #MSB Mediator Standards Board