Forum 

The FDR process is an interest based, facilitated and structured negotiation facilitated by an independent third party, an accredited and registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP).

A key benefit of FDR is that the parties have the opportunity to make their own decisions and have input into parenting and financial arrangements that will suit their unique circumstances, each of their children and themselves. Parties can maximise their opportunities in this forum and more meaningfully participate by:

• Listening to each other’s point of view.
• Sharing of relevant information.
• Identifying common shared understandings.
• Identifying points of difference and issues to be resolved.
• Looking at arrangements going forward (future focus).
• Developing workable solutions and agreements.

Preparing for FDR

It is helpful if parties consider in advance:

• What issues are important to them? Think about how they can use the forum and how they can best manage it?
• Think about ideas, goals, options. What are their interests? What is liveable?
• Think about what are their children’s interests?
• Think about respectful communication; how can they speak in a way that is more likely to be heard and listen effectively for understanding.
• How can they address the other party’s concerns? What may be some of the other party’s interests?
• Consider what may be durable and sustainable? How can they build trust?
• Focus on the future.