Courts (Mediation and Arbitration) Act 1991

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No. 113 of 1991

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

PART 1—INTRODUCTORY

Section
1.	Short title
2.	Commencement
PART 2—AMENDMENTS OF THE FAMILY LAW ACT 1975
3.	Principal Act
4.	Interpretation
5.	Insertion of new Part:
PART IIIa—MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION
Division 1—Mediation
	19a. Request for mediation
	19b. Court may refer matters for mediation
	19c. Admissions made to mediators
Division 2—Arbitration
	19d. Court may refer proceedings to arbitration
	19e. Private arbitration
	19f. Review of awards made in private arbitration
	19g. Review of other awards

TABLE OF PROVISIONS—continued

Section
Division 3—Miscellaneous
	19h. Assessors
	19j. Advice about mediation and arbitration
	19k. Oath or affirmation by approved mediator
	19l. Oath or affirmation by approved arbitrator
	19m. Protection of mediators and arbitrators
6.	Personnel other than the Chief Executive Officer
7.	Interpretation
8.	Rules of Court
9.	Regulations
PART 3—AMENDMENTS OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ACT 1976
10.	Principal Act
11.	Insertion of new sections:
	53a. Mediation and arbitration
	53b. Admissions made to mediators
	53c. Protection of mediators and arbitrators
12.	Arbitration awards
13.	Rules of Court

Courts (Mediation and Arbitration) Act 1991

No. 113 of 1991

An Act relating to mediation and arbitration under the

Family Law Act 1975 and the Federal Court of Australia

Act 1976, and for related purposes

[Assented to 27 June 1991]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

PART 1—INTRODUCTORY

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Courts (Mediation and Arbitration) Act 1991.

Commencement

2. (1) Sections 1 and 2 commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the remaining provisions of this Act commence on a day or days to be fixed by Proclamation.

(3) If a provision referred to in subsection (2) does not commence within the period of 6 months starting on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, it commences on the first day after the end of that period.

PART 2—AMENDMENTS OF THE FAMILY LAW ACT 1975

Principal Act

3. In this Part, “Principal Act” means the Family Law Act 19751.

Interpretation

4. Section 4 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting in subsection (1) the following definitions:

“ ‘appropriate officer’, when used in Part IIIa in relation to the Family Court, means:

(a) the Chief Executive Officer of the Family Court; or

(b) any other officer of the Family Court specified in writing by the Chief Executive Officer for the purposes of this definition;

‘approved arbitrator’ means an arbitrator approved under the regulations;

‘approved mediator’ means a mediator approved under the regulations;

‘Part VIII proceedings’ means proceedings under Part VIII for orders with respect to spousal maintenance or the property of parties to a marriage, but does not include any proceedings specified in the regulations for the purposes of this definition;

‘prescribed proceedings’ means:

(a) proceedings for principal relief; or

(b) proceedings in relation to concurrent, pending or completed proceedings for principal relief;

‘private arbitration’ means arbitration by an arbitrator specified by the regulations for the purposes of this definition, other than arbitration carried out as a result of an order made under section 19d;”.

5. After Part III of the Principal Act the following Part is inserted:

“PART IIIa—MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION

“Division 1—Mediation

Request for mediation

“19a. (1) A person who is:

(a) the parent or adoptive parent of a child; or

(b) a child; or

and who is not a party to proceedings under this Act, may file in the Family Court, or in a Family Court of a State, a notice asking for the help of a mediator in settling a dispute to which the person is a party.

“(2) Where a notice is filed in a court:

(a) the notice must be dealt with in accordance with the Rules of Court; and

(b) if a mediation service is available at the Registry of the court and the dispute is one that, under the Rules of Court, may be mediated, the appropriate officer of the court must make arrangements for an approved mediator to mediate the dispute in accordance with the Rules of Court.

“(3) In this section:

‘dispute’ means a dispute about a matter with respect to which proceedings (other than prescribed proceedings) could be instituted under this Act.

Court may refer matters for mediation

“19b. (1) Subject to the Rules of Court, the Family Court or a Family Court of a State, may, with the consent of the parties to any proceedings before it under this Act (other than prescribed proceedings), make an order referring any or all of the matters in dispute in the proceedings for mediation by an approved mediator.

“(2) Where a court makes an order under subsection (1), it may, if necessary, adjourn the proceedings and may make such additional orders as it thinks appropriate to facilitate the effective conduct of the mediation.

“(3) Where a court makes an order under subsection (1), the appropriate officer of the court must make arrangements for an approved mediator to mediate the relevant disputed matter in accordance with the Rules of Court.

“(4) Where:

(a) a court makes an order under subsection (1) in relation to any matter in dispute in proceedings before it; and

(b) a party to the proceedings files a notice in the court that the mediation of the matter has ended;

the court may make such orders, or give such directions, as it thinks appropriate in relation to the proceedings.

Admissions made to mediators

“19c. Evidence of anything said, or of any admission made, at a conference conducted by an approved mediator, acting as such a mediator, is not admissible:

(a) in any court (whether exercising federal jurisdiction or not); or

(b) in any proceedings before a person authorised by a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory, or by the consent of the parties, to hear evidence.

“Division 2—Arbitration

Court may refer proceedings to arbitration

“19d. (1) In any Part VIII proceedings the court may, subject to the Rules of Court, make an order referring the proceedings, or any part of them, or any matter arising in them, to an approved arbitrator for arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Court.

“(2) A court may make an order under subsection (1) with or without the consent of the parties.

“(3) Where a court makes an order under subsection (1), it may, if necessary, adjourn the proceedings and may make such additional orders as it thinks appropriate to facilitate the effective conduct of the arbitration.

“(4) Where a court makes an order under subsection (1), the arbitration must be carried out by the approved arbitrator in accordance with the Rules of Court.

“(5) A party to an award in an arbitration carried out as a result of an order under this section may register the award, in accordance with the Rules of Court, in the court that made that order and the award, when so registered, has effect as if it were a decree made by that court.

Private arbitration

“19e. (1) A court having jurisdiction under this Act may, on application by a party to the private arbitration of a dispute, make such orders as the court thinks appropriate to facilitate the effective conduct of the arbitration.

“(2) A party to an award made in a private arbitration of a dispute may register the award, in accordance with the Rules of Court, in a court having jurisdiction under this Act and the award, when so registered, has effect as if it were a decree made by that court.

“(3) In this section:

‘dispute’ means:

(a) Part VIII proceedings; or

(b) any part of such proceedings; or

(d) a dispute about a matter with respect to which such proceedings could be instituted.

Review of awards made in private arbitration

“19f. (1) A party to a registered award made in private arbitration may apply to a Full Court of the Family Court for review of the award on questions of law.

“(2) On a review of an award under this section, the court may:

(a) determine all questions of law arising in relation to the arbitration; and

(b) make such decrees as it thinks appropriate, including a decree affirming, reversing or varying the award.

Review of other awards

“19g. (1) A party to a registered award made in arbitration carried out as a result of an order made under subsection 19d (1) may apply to a single Judge of the Family Court for review of the award.

“(2) A Judge who reviews an award under this section must do so by rehearing the matters to which the award relates and:

(a) must determine, as if for the first time, all questions of fact and law arising in relation to the arbitration; and

(b) may, by decree, either confirm the award or make such other award as the Judge thinks appropriate.

“Division 3—Miscellaneous

Assessors

“19h. In any proceedings under this Act (other than prescribed proceedings), the court may, in accordance with the Rules of Court, call in the aid of an assessor to assist it in the hearing and determination of the proceedings, or any part of them or any matter arising under them.

Advice about mediation and arbitration

“19j. (1) The appropriate officer of the Family Court or of a Family Court of a State must, as far as practicable, on request by a party to a marriage or to proceedings under this Act, advise the party about any mediation or arbitration facilities available in the court and how those facilities are made available.

“(2) The Rules of Court must provide for persons who propose to institute proceedings under this Act, and (in appropriate cases) their spouses, and other interested persons, to be given a document setting out particulars of any mediation and arbitration facilities available in the Family Court and elsewhere.

Oath or affirmation by approved mediator

“19k. An approved mediator must, before starting to perform the functions of such a mediator, make an oath or affirmation of secrecy in accordance with the prescribed form before a person authorised

under a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory, to take affidavits.

Oath or affirmation by approved arbitrator

“19l. An approved arbitrator must, before starting to perform the functions of such an arbitrator, make an oath or affirmation in accordance with the prescribed form before a person authorised under a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory, to take affidavits.

Protection of mediators and arbitrators

“19m. An approved mediator, an approved arbitrator, or an arbitrator who carries out a private arbitration, has, in performing the functions of such a mediator or arbitrator, the same protection and immunity as a Judge of the Family Court has in performing the functions of such a Judge.”.

Personnel other than the Chief Executive Officer

6. Section 38n of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after paragraph (1) (d) the following paragraph:

“(da) a Principal Director of Mediation;”.

Interpretation

7. Section 60 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after paragraph (a) of the definition of “member of the Court personnel” the following paragraphs:

“(aa) an approved mediator; or

(ab) an approved arbitrator; or”.

Rules of Court

8. Section 123 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after paragraph (1) (s) the following paragraphs:

“(sa) prescribing the functions and duties of assessors and of approved mediators and approved arbitrators;

(sb) providing for and in relation to the making of applications under this Act for mediation or arbitration and for orders under section 19e;

(sc) prescribing the disputes, proceedings or matters that may or may not be mediated or arbitrated under this Act;

(sd) providing for and in relation to:

(i) the procedures to be followed by an approved mediator or an approved arbitrator in mediating or arbitrating a dispute, proceeding or matter under this Act; and

(ii) the attendance by persons at conferences conducted by approved mediators and approved arbitrators for the

purposes of mediating or arbitrating a dispute, proceeding or matter under this Act; and

(iii) the procedure to be followed when a mediation or arbitration ends, both where it has resulted in an agreement or award and where it has not;

(se) prescribing matters relating to the costs of mediation and arbitration by approved mediators and approved arbitrators and the assessment or taxation of those costs;

(sf) providing for and in relation to:

(i) the registration of awards under section 19d or 19e; and

(ii) the time and manner of making applications for review of registered awards under section 19f or 19g;”.

Regulations

9. Section 125 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting paragraph (1) (c) and substituting the following paragraphs:

“(ba) providing for and in relation to the approval of mediators and arbitrators;

(i) proceedings under this Act; and

(ii) the arbitration by an approved arbitrator of a dispute, proceeding or matter carried out as a result of an order made under subsection 19d(1);”.

PART 3—AMENDMENTS OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ACT 1976

Principal Act

10. In this Part, “Principal Act” means the Federal Court of Australia Act 19762.

11. After section 53 of the Principal Act the following sections are inserted:

Mediation and arbitration

“53a. Subject to the Rules of Court, the Court may, with the consent of the parties to proceedings in the Court, by order refer the proceedings, or any part of them or any matter arising out of them, to a mediator or an arbitrator for mediation or arbitration, as the case may be, in accordance with the Rules of Court.

Admissions made to mediators

“53b. Evidence of anything said, or of any admission made, at a conference conducted by a mediator in the course of mediating anything referred under section 53a is not admissible:

(a) in any court (whether exercising federal jurisdiction or not); or

(b) in any proceedings before a person authorised by a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory, or by the consent of the parties, to hear evidence.

Protection of mediators and arbitrators

“53c. A mediator or an arbitrator has, in mediating or arbitrating anything referred under section 53a, the same protection and immunity as a Judge has in performing the functions of a Judge.”.

Arbitration awards

12. Section 54 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting in subsection (1) “(whether carried out under an order made under section 53a or otherwise)” after “arbitration”.

Rules of Court

13. Section 59 of the Principal Act is amended by adding at the end of subsection (2) the following word and paragraphs:

“; and (zf) the referral of any proceedings in the Court, or any part of such proceedings or any matters arising out of such proceedings, to a mediator or an arbitrator for mediation or arbitration, as the case may be; and

(zg) the procedures to be followed by a mediator or an arbitrator in mediating or arbitrating anything referred for mediation or arbitration under this Act; and

(zh) the attendance by persons at conferences conducted by mediators or arbitrators for the purposes of mediating or arbitrating anything so referred; and

(zi) the procedure when any such mediation or arbitration ends, both where it has resulted in an agreement or award and where it has not.”.

NOTES

No. 53, 1975, as amended. For previous amendments see Nos. 63, 95 and 209, 1976; No. 102, 1977; No. 23, 1979; No. 2 1982; Nos. 67 and 72, 1983; Nos. 63, 72 and 165, 1984; Nos. 65, 166 and 193 of 1985; Nos. 76 and 168, 1986; Nos. 141 and 181, 1987; Nos. 8, 99 and 120, 1988; Nos. 124, 157 and 182, 1989; and Nos. 115 and 138, 1990.
No. 156, 1976, as amended. For previous amendments see Nos. 19 and 87, 1979; No. 61, 1981; No. 26, 1982; No. 91, 1983; Nos. 11, 72 and 165, 1984; Nos. 65 and 193, 1985; No. 76, 1986; No. 141, 1987; Nos. 8, 99 and 120, 1988; No. 157, 1989; and Nos. 11, 70 and 115, 1990.

[Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 30 May 1991

Senate on 6 June 1991]

Overview

The Courts (Mediation and Arbitration) Act 1991, No. 113, was enacted to address the need for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within family law and federal court proceedings. The Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia and its primary policy objective was to facilitate the resolution of family law and federal court disputes through mediation and arbitration processes. This was achieved by amending the Family Law Act 1975 and the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 to incorporate provisions that allow courts to refer matters to mediators and arbitrators, thereby promoting timely and less adversarial resolutions. The Act also ensures that mediators and arbitrators have protections similar to those afforded to judges, enhancing their role and credibility in the judicial process.

Scope and Application

The Courts (Mediation and Arbitration) Act 1991 applies to proceedings under the Family Law Act 1975 and the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, and involves the introduction of mediation and arbitration processes in these contexts. It applies to persons who are parties to proceedings under the Family Law Act, such as parents, children, or parties to a marriage, and to proceedings under the Federal Court of Australia. The Act facilitates mediation and arbitration as means of resolving disputes, with provisions for courts to refer matters for mediation or arbitration, and for private arbitration. The Act also sets out the rules and procedures for these processes, including the roles of mediators and arbitrators, the admissibility of evidence, and the review of awards. The geographic reach of this Act is primarily within Australia, as it pertains to federal legislation and the courts governed by it. Exclusions include specified proceedings outlined in regulations. The Act extends its application through the Rules of Court and regulations, which detail the processes, procedures, and the approval of mediators and arbitrators.

Key Provisions

The Courts (Mediation and Arbitration) Act 1991 introduces provisions for mediation and arbitration within the Family Law Act 1975 and the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976. Under Part IIIa of the Act, Division 1 focuses on mediation. Section 19a(1) allows parents, adoptive parents, children, or parties to a marriage who are not involved in proceedings to request mediation for disputes that could be the subject of proceedings under the Act, excluding certain specified proceedings. Section 19a(2) mandates that if a mediation service is available and the dispute is eligible, the appropriate officer must arrange for an approved mediator to mediate the dispute in accordance with the Rules of Court. Section 19b(1) permits the Family Court or a Family Court of a State to refer matters for mediation with the consent of the parties involved, subject to the Rules of Court. If mediation is ordered, the court may adjourn proceedings and make additional orders as necessary. Section 19c ensures that any admissions made during mediation are not admissible in any court or proceedings. Division 2 deals with arbitration. Section 19d(1) allows the court to refer proceedings, or parts of them, to an approved arbitrator for arbitration, with or without the consent of the parties. Section 19d(5) permits a party to register an award from such an arbitration in the court that made the order, which then has the effect of a court decree. Section 19e enables a court to facilitate private arbitration by making appropriate orders on application by a party. Section 19e(2) allows a party to register a private arbitration award in a court, which then has the effect of a court decree. Section 19f(1) permits a party to a registered private arbitration award to apply for review of the award by a Full Court of the Family Court on questions of law. Section 19g(1) allows a party to a registered award made in arbitration under section 19d(1) to apply for review by a single Judge of the Family Court. The Act imposes obligations on parties and entities to comply with the procedures for mediation and arbitration as outlined in the Rules of Court. It also requires the appropriate officer of the Family Court or a Family Court of a State to provide information about available mediation and arbitration facilities upon request. Approved mediators and arbitrators must take an oath or affirmation before performing their functions. Additionally, mediators, arbitrators, and private arbitrators are granted the same protections and immunities as judges when performing their duties. In terms of consequences for breaches, while the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences, the general legal principle applies that failure to comply with court orders or misuse of the mediation and arbitration processes could potentially lead to legal repercussions. The precise nature of these consequences would depend on the context and the specific breach involved, but they could include orders for compliance, fines, or other judicial remedies.

Area of Law: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Civil Litigation & Procedure
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Commencement Provisions; Definitions & Interpretation; Licensing & Registration; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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