FAMILY LAW ARBITRATION THE MELBOURNE PROJECT
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Transcript of FAMILY LAW ARBITRATION THE MELBOURNE PROJECT
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FAMILY LAW ARBITRATION
THE MELBOURNE PROJECT
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PART IIIB – COURT’S POWERS IN RELATION TO COURT AND NON-COURT BASED FAMILY SERVICES
Section 13A(1): OBJECTS OF PART
to encourage people to use dispute resolution mechanisms (other than judicial ones) to resolve matters in which a court order might otherwise be made…
to encourage people to use, in appropriate circumstances, arbitration to resolve matters in which a court order might otherwise be made, and to provide ways of facilitating that use.
(b)
(c)
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What is Arbitration?
• a process (other than a judicial process)
• before an arbitrator (not a judge)
• in which the parties present evidence and arguments; and
• the arbitrator makes a determination to resolve the dispute
s10L(1) Family Law Act 1975
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Two distinct species
• “Relevant property or financial arbitration”: s10L(2)(b): Private
• “Section 19E arbitration”: s10L(2)(a): Court-annexed
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What Can Be Arbitrated?
Court referred/private• Spousal maintenance (s74) and variation (s83)• Declaration of interests in property (s78)• Alteration of property interests (s79)• Setting aside property orders (s79A)• Ante-nuptial/post-nuptial settlements (s85A)
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What can be Arbitrated? cont…
Private arbitration only
• Part VIIIA financial agreements• Superannuation issues under Part VIIIB• Section 106B proceedings• (Probably) leave to proceed out of time
(s44(3))
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What can’t be arbitrated?
• Parenting issues• Child support issues
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Arbitration Options
• Single issue• Selected issues• All issues• On the papers• Short form• Modified hearing regime• Full hearing
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Role of Court• Refer to arbitration by consent: s13E(1); Reg 67D
• Adjourn proceedings to enable arbitration: s13E(2)
• Make orders to facilitate arbitration: s13F; Reg 67E
• Make orders for interim relief pending award
• Determine questions of law referred by arbitrator: s13G
• Register awards: s13H
• Review awards (on questions of law): s13J
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Role of Court cont…
• Set aside awards: s13K– fraud/non-disclosure– void, voidable, unenforceable– impracticability– bias– lack of procedural fairness
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Registered Awards• Effect as though Court decree: s13H(2)
• May be enforced as if an order: s13H(2)
• Reviewable: s13J(1)
– by Judge or Federal Magistrate
– on question of law
• May be set aside (in prescribed circumstances):
s13K
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Powers of Arbitrator (prescribed by Act and Regulations)
• Regulate procedure
• Require persons to attend to give evidence and/or produce documents
• Order documentation
• Administer oaths
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Powers of Arbitrator cont…
• Admit written evidence
• Modify rules of evidence
• Make an interim award
• Encourage settlement
• Refer questions of law to Court
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Duties of Arbitrator• Determine issues (in accordance with FLA)• Ensure procedural fairness• Accord natural justice• Make award
−Give written reasons−Set out findings of fact
• If Court-referred, inform court−Arbitration ended−Award made
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Variables in Arbitration Process• Type of arbitration
• Level of formality
• Issues
• Documents required
• Representation
• Procedural steps
• Witnesses
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Variables in Arbitration Process cont…
• Evidence (oral; written)• Rules of evidence• Timetable• Conduct of arbitration
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The Arbitration Agreement• Issue(s) to be arbitrated• Time estimates• Full disclosure• Process
– Provision of information– Exchange of documents– Hearing– Award
• Cost
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The Arbitration Agreement cont…
• Submissions
• Time frames
– exchange of material
– witness statements
– delivery of award
• Time estimates
– Preparation
– Hearing
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The Arbitration Agreement cont…
• Time and place• Oral hearing?• Witnesses?
– parties – experts– other– cross examination
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Benefits to Parties• Flexibility
• Control and design of process
• Speed
• Confidentiality
• Level of formality
• Choice of decision maker
• Cost
• Binding result
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Benefits to Court• Faster resolution
• Reduction of delays
• Reduced need for interim hearings
• List not clogged with unnecessary cases
• Better utilisation of judicial time
• Better management of Registry-specific problems
−backlogs−delays in judicial replacement
• Avoid split hearings in Div 12A cases
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THE MELBOURNE PROJECT• Initiative of AIFLAM/FLS
• Designed to assist:
– Court
– Practitioners
– Clients
• Three Tier Model
– Fixed composite fees
– Three bands
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THE MELBOURNE PROJECT• 75 qualified arbitrators:
• Three levels of fees
Composite Daily FeeAmount
Band 1 $10,000.00 $5,000.00
Band 2 $7,500.00 $3,750.00
Band 3 $5,000.00 $2,500.00
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THE MELBOURNE PROJECT
• Fees cover:
– All preparation (including preliminary meetings)
– One day of hearing
– The award
• Additional daily fee for extra days
• Award within 28 days
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THE MELBOURNE PROJECT
• Flexible
• Simple
• Time efficient
• Cost effective
• Choice of arbitrator
• Outcome focussed