REASONS FOR APPOINTING FRANÇOIS AS YOUR FAMILY MEDIATOR

FAST RESPONSE TIME
  • François guarantees your mediation within 5 business days, subject to the availability of parents

AFFORDABLE COSTS
  • François charges only $195 (ex GST) per hour, according to his schedule of costs (as opposed to other mediators and mediation organisations that charge over $450 per hour)
  • He believes that resolution should be accessible for all and therefore affordable

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
  • François has completed over 700 mediations in Family Law disputes relating to parenting matters, children's care arrangements & property settlements
  • He has conducted child-inclusive mediations (where during the mediation session a child psychologist provides feedback to the parties, after having spent time with the children to determine through therapeutic tools & strategies how they are coping with the separation & current parenting arrangements)

CERTIFICATIONS & QUALIFICATIONS
  • François is registered as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with the Department of the Federal Attorney-General, pursuant to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (2007-Present)
  • He is a nationally accredited mediator under the Bar Association of Queensland, the Queensland Law Society, the Australian Mediation Association, and The University of Queensland (2004-Present)
  • He has graduated with a Master of Laws (Litigation & Dispute Resolution), specialising in mediation, from The University of Queensland (2002-2004)

FLEXIBILITY IN PROCESS
  • François provides face-to-face mediation, shuttle mediation, lawyer-assisted mediation, and online mediation via Skype
  • He conducts mediations in Brisbane's CBD, Milton, Eight Mile Plains, and Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast
  • He is experienced in conducting interstate mediations and international mediations

FRIENDLY, COURTEOUS & UNDERSTANDING
  • François has an awareness of what separated and divorced parents are going through
  • He provides a mediation process that places parents at ease
  • He ensures that any power imbalances between parents do not affect the mediation process or influence the outcome of the mediation

PRECISE WRITTEN AGREEMENTS
  • François provides written agreements that are precise
  • His agreements are written in the fashion of Draft Consent Orders, thereby saving parents the legal costs associated with this

As a mediator, François is a neutral and unbiased intermediary, who facilitates the discussion of issues in dispute between the parties, by assisting them to understand each other’s underlying concerns and values. He facilitates the generation of options to each of the issues, thereby guiding the parties towards settlement by negotiation in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Please note that François cannot, as an impartial mediator, offer individual legal advice to the parties, nor provide representation to either party to the mediation, during or after the mediation. It is important, before any mediation session begins, that the parties seek independent legal advice from a solicitor holding a current practising certificate.

François is authorised by the Department of the Federal Attorney-General to issue section 60I cerfiticates, which are required before an application for parenting orders can be made to the Family Court of Australia.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FAMILY MEDIATOR FOR YOU

In choosing a mediator for a particular dispute, consider the following:
  • The mediator’s experience in mediation, specifically in mediation of similar disputes to the dispute to be mediated (eg children's care arrangements) 
  • The mediator’s expertise in the area of law from which the dispute arises (eg Family Law)
  • The mediator’s training & any other credentials in mediation
  • The mediator’s education & professional background, in facilitating the generation of options to the issues
  • The mediator’s references & reputation for neutrality, competency & professionalism
  • The location of the mediator, in an area convenient to the parents

PEOPLE WHO RECOMMEND FRANÇOIS

"The mediation wasn't just about getting an agreement but about making real change in the way we communicate with each other."
- Jane T., West Lake
"With Francois's knowledge and skill, what I thought was impossible was achieved. He managed the process so well through Skype. Thank you."
- Gregor M., Bristol, United Kingdom
"Francois was professional yet showed compassion and understanding in helping me and my children through the ordeal of separation and divorce."
- Bron H., Chermside
"Skillful in saying what I needed to hear at just the right moment. I highly recommend Francois and wish him the best."
- M.B., Kenmore 
"My mediation with Francois was a success, and the agreement was written with the detail the I needed for Consent Orders."
- Karen M., Morningside

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By Francois Mercier