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Mediation Pilot at Broadmeadows, Sunshine, Werribee and Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Courts

On 1 October 2007 a mediation pilot programme was commenced at the Magistrates' Court at Broadmeadows (the Pilot Programme) for all defended civil disputes where the amount sought in the complaint is less than the amount set out in respect of each court below, or where the dispute is under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (irrespective of the amount or matter in dispute). On 2 June 2009 the meditation pilot programme was extended to the Magistrates’ Court at Sunshine. On 3 August 2009 the meditation pilot programme was extended to the Magistrates’ Court at Werribee.  On 16 November 2009 the mediation pilot programme will be extended further to the Magistrates' Court at Latrobe Valley.

Procedure

In addition to serving upon a defendant the complaint and two notices of defence, a plaintiff in a proceeding will serve upon the defendant a document entitled "Information about Court-Annexed Mediation". Where a notice of defence is filed, the defendant must return to the relevant Magistrates' Court, at the same time as the notice of defence is filed, a completed Section A, which is contained in the "Information About Court-Annexed Mediation" which are available via the links to the right of this page for each of the Courts.

Broadmeadows

• The Pilot Programme will only involve those proceedings where a notice of defence is filed on or after 1 October 2007 where the amount sought is less than $40,000 (amended by Practice Direction 1 of 2009 as from 2 April 2009 from $10,000 to $40,000)
• Practice Directions 6 and 7 of 2007 and 1 of 2009 direct as to the operation of the Mediation Pilot Programme at Broadmeadows and can be viewed via the link to the right of this page.

Sunshine

• The Pilot Programme will only involve those proceedings where a notice of defence is filed at the Magistrates' Court at Sunshine on or after 2 June 2009 where the amount sought is less than $10,000.
• Practice Direction 2 of 2009 directs as to the operation of the Mediation Pilot Programme at Sunshine and can be viewed via the link to the right of this page.

Werribee

• The Pilot Programme will only involve those proceedings where a notice of defence is filed at the Magistrates' Court at Werribee on or after 3 August 2009 where the amount sought is less than $10,000.
• Practice Direction 3 of 2009 direct as to the operation of the Mediation Pilot Programme at Werribee and can be viewed via the link to the right of this page.

Latrobe Valley

• The Pilot Programme will only involve those proceedings where a notice of defence is filed at the Magistrates' Court at Latrobe Valley on or after 16 August 2009 where the amount sought is less than $10,000.
• Practice Direction 5 of 2009 direct as to the operation of the Mediation Pilot Programme at Latrobe Valley and can be viewed via the link to the right of this page.