PLEASE NOTE: We are not accepting initial advice appointments for the time being. Our work for existing clients continues and we look forward to meeting when we are in our new premises.

If you require general information on Courts or other dispute resolution services (including mediation), availability of legal aid and how to meet legal costs, or you want to discuss the appropriate service for you, we offer a free 15 minute consultation. You may go on to request another of our services, such as our fixed fee initial legal advice or fixed fee intake for mediation, however there is no obligation to do so.

We offer a confidential, one-hour, meeting with an experienced divorce lawyer for the fixed fee of $320.00, inclusive of GST (credit cards 1.5%) At this meeting we advise on:

• your legal rights;
• the best process to achieve a Family Law settlement;
• appropriate means of pursuing settlement by consent;
• negotiations;
• if necessary, commencement of legal proceedings.

We may be able to provide you with an estimate of total costs, including how to minimise costs and some matters can be dealt with on Fixed Fee basis, so you know in advance what the costs will be.

What is Mediation?
Mediation is a structured non-adversarial negotiation process in which a neutral third party assists parties to agree on their own solutions to a dispute. The style of mediation you choose will depend upon the issues involved in your matter.
Chris Williams is one of the most experienced mediators in Perth, Western Australia.
Mediations can be conducted with both parties unrepresented or represented by solicitors.

What is Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)?
FDR is a particular form of mediation, in which an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) conducts mediation processes to assist people negotiate an agreement under family law about arrangements for their children or property following separation.
FDR can help separating or separated couples to reach an agreement without having to go to court. If you and your ex-partner are able to reach an agreement during FDR, you may formalise the agreement by including it in an application to the court for consent orders, or in a parenting plan.

What are the Benefits of Mediation?

• Non-adversarial
• A conciliatory approach to resolving problems – avoids holding positions and seeks to find common interests
• Cost-effective
• Informal
• Organise meeting times and places convenient to you. Mediation takes place in our Fremantle rooms or other venues as agreed in face-to-face meetings, or via phone/video-link
• Confidential
• Protects parties from adverse publicity; encourages openness and honesty in exchanges
• Voluntary involvement
• Own the procedure
• Individualise the procedure to your requirements
• Reduce disputed issues
• Even if the final settlement is not reached, participants can narrow or clarify the issues for trial
• Finality
  The agreed result is enforced as a contract. There is a high “sticking” rate for mediation settlements. For Family disputes, the mediation agreement can be filed as consent orders in the Family Court.

Chris Williams is a Qualified and Experienced Mediator in:

• Property Settlement Mediations
• Family Mediation / Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) – parenting disputes
• Workplace, Building or Organisational Disputes

Collaborative Law
Chris Williams is a member of Collaborative Professionals WA , as part of your legal advice, we will discuss advise on whether this is a suitable means for your negotiations.

The Family Court of Western Australia encourages negotiated settlements, both before during legal proceedings .We are experienced negotiators, will represent you to achieve the best negotiated outcome.

Chris Williams Lawyer and Mediator is a law firm dedicated to playing a role in providing social justice. We regularly accept Legal Aid cases for family law and other areas, particularly grants for Family Dispute Resolution conference (a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution or ADR).
Chris Williams has worked as an Independent Children’s Lawyer accredited by Legal Aid WA which provides valuable experience in dealing with children’s issues, particularly in high conflict situations.

If negotiations do not achieve settlement, or if you are faced with another party who has already commenced legal proceedings, contact us promptly for experienced representation. We will draft file the necessary court documents, represent you at the initial stages of Court proceedings. If your matter goes to trial, we will instruct an experienced barrister to represent you.

Our initial legal advice appointments and intake for family dispute resolution (mediation) have fixed fee fees. To save on legal costs, you may be in a position to do some, maybe even the majority, of the work on your family law matter yourself. This can include work we do for you on a Fixed Fee basis. We can discuss this during your first meeting.

Chris Williams, Lawyer and Mediator, is also experienced at mediating and providing legal assistance for other matters including:

• Building and Construction
• Civil Law (National)
• Collaborative Law Practice
• Commercial
• Community
• Workplace Relations
• Violence Restraining Orders (VRO) / Misconduct Restraining Order (MRO)
• Criminal work