Since its launch in October 2024, by former President Brett McGrath, the Law Society of NSW’s Lawyer Mediator Accreditation Scheme (LMA Scheme) has built a strong reputation for recognising solicitor mediators as trusted and highly qualified dispute resolution professionals.

The Scheme provides assurance to the public that accredited members are expert problem solvers backed by legal practice experience, and stringent professional standards.

These standards include recent completion of approved mediation training, appropriate professional indemnity insurance or statutory immunity, a current practising certificate, and current membership of the Law Society of NSW. Mediators accredited under the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) also satisfy the training requirement through automatic eligibility.

Mediators play a vital role in helping resolve issues across a range of commercial and personal matters. Until recently, however, registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRPs), including those delivering services under the Law Society’s Family Law Settlement Service (FLSS), fell outside the LMA Scheme.

FDRPs provide a crucial service to many families, helping them keep control of the decision-making process as they navigate towards agreement on a range of matters, including parenting and property disputes. Their accreditation requirements are already rigorous and closely aligned with the professional standards expected of members of the Lawyer Mediator Accreditation Scheme.

I am pleased that the Law Society has now opened membership of the LMA Scheme to this important category of mediators. This change recognises the significant contribution FDRPs make to dispute resolution. At the same time, it will help strengthen and grow solicitor-led mediation across New South Wales.

I look forward to welcoming Law Society solicitor member FDRPs into the Scheme and the professional community it represents.

If you are interested in becoming a mediator, I encourage you to watch this video, featuring the Chair of the Law Society’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, and former President, Gary Ulman, together with Deputy Chair Julie Robb.

The video answers some ‘frequently asked questions’ about the LMA Scheme and highlights the important role solicitor mediators play in helping parties resolve disputes while avoiding much of the financial, psychological and emotional stress of ‘a day in court’.

Ronan MacSweeney, President, The Law Society of NSW