Adapting Services to meet future needs

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Use of electronic practice tools in financial FDR.

Supporting relationships, parenting and settlements in the context of Family Law Financial Disputes.

Ringwood FRC Context

Ringwood FRC Catchment

Part of a large social & community health service

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Outline

To illustrate how technology has enhanced our practice

To stimulate discussion

To outline the steps of settlement

To describe changes we have introduced

To flag emerging issues

Adapting: Meeting future needs

• Family Law disputes about children and financial matters are linked

• When suitable - FDR re children’s issues is mandatory

• Financial FDR not mandatory

• Clients request Financial FDR regularly

• FDRP’s are agents of change – manage ambivalence, H.O.P.E.

• Impact of settlement conversations is strengthened by tasks

• Adaptation of our FDR process at RFRC is assisting people to consider

how settlement of financial disputes can occur

Preparing for Change: •New tools build mutual investment in settlement

•Focus is on tasks required each step of the way

•Can be used well with interpreters and LOTE

•Is inexpensive, efficient and transparent

•Reduces personal distress levels

•Strengthens opportunity for equitable participation

•Minimises duplication of effort in instructing lawyers

•Benchmarks practice quality standard

Screen for Risk – Plan for Safety

Engagement

Private Session- 1 person

Joint Sessions

Both parties

Joint Session/s

- Both parties

Joint Session/s- Both people

Brains Trust Developing Best Practice

ImprovementIdentify existing care and service

gaps, reduce risk

Seeing Things Differently

Lessons learnedDriving a snow plough a different route can make a significant difference to an outcome

Can make a significant difference

Are transparent efficient & effective

Strengthen settlement focused discussions

Provide yet to be developed opportunities

Reflect a high professional and client owned practice approach

Requires development to transform practice across a whole workforce

Screen for Risk – Plan for Safety

Emerging issues Streamlined Family Law property advice is difficult for people to access

affordably

Financial FDR in FRC’s will be strengthened by;

• FDR that enhances comprehensive , transparent, efficient outcomes

• Skill development by the FRC employed FDRP’s

• Referrals to and from lawyers and courts in local areas

• Streamlined referral pathways between FRC’s and lawyers

Screening for risk – Planning for Safety

Thank you

www.each.com.au

www.each.com.au