Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is it too late to sort Christmas or school holiday arrangements now?

Not necessarily. Even though court deadlines have passed and hours are limited, family dispute resolution can still help you agree on arrangements for Christmas, New Year and the January school holidays.

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What if my ex refuses to take part in Christmas mediation?

This service assumes both parents are willing to contact Mediation Canberra and participate. If your ex does not contact us we can arrange to send them a letter of invitation for an additional fee. If they do not engage, then a s60I certificate may be issued (see below).

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Can this service help if my ex is withholding the children or cancelling time at the last minute?

Yes, provided both parents are prepared to engage. Mediation can help you address missed time, last‑minute changes and where children spend key days over Christmas and the school holidays, in a structured, child‑focused way.

 

Is this Christmas mediation available outside Canberra?

Yes. Sessions are conducted online, so as long as both parents can attend virtually, Mediation Canberra can assist parents across Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and regional or rural areas. Time zone differences will need to be taken into account for clients in Perth or elsewhere in WA 

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How quickly can an online Christmas mediation be organised?

Because this service relies on both parents contacting Mediation Canberra directly and does not include letters of invitation, it can usually be scheduled within a week. Timeframes still depend on both parents completing their intakes. If we need to invite the other party there is an additional fee and it may take longer. 

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What happens if we reach agreement?

The mediator will help you record your Christmas and holiday arrangements in a short written agreement. You can then decide, with legal advice if needed, to turn it into a parenting plan or formalise it later.

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Are agreements reached in mediation legally enforceable?

Not automatically. Agreements are usually written up and can be turned into a parenting plan. If you both want something binding, you can then seek legal advice about turning the plan into consent orders (or do it yourself using the Court's website).

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What happens if we do not reach agreement?

If you cannot agree, the mediator will discuss next steps. Where appropriate, a Section 60I certificate may be requested and provided.

 

Will I get a Section 60I certificate from this mediation?

A Section 60I certificate may be available, but it is not included in the reduced Christmas package fee. If you need a 60I certificate, it can be issued for an additional fee where it's appropriate to do so.

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Can this mediation cover issues beyond Christmas?

This service is deliberately limited and lower cost because it focuses only on Christmas and holiday time issues. Broader year‑round parenting or property issues would usually be dealt with in a separate, standard mediation process.