Arbitration Australia is a Viable Alternative to Litigation. The process that is used to submit a dispute by a party and the agreement to one or more arbitrators those who make a binding decision on the dispute. In the case of arbitration law or family law arbitration, the parties choose the process of settling personal disputes without going to court.
I was in Court recently on the first Mention date of an application by the husband seeking Orders for the division of the net matrimonial assets of his relationship with my client.
Both parties sought Interim Orders relating to each obtaining certain items of furniture and chattels, prior to a final resolution of the division of their assets.
Extensive negotiations took place on the morning of the Court Hearing between myself and the solicitor acting for the Applicant. Finally, the parties were able to agree on the husband retaining certain items of property and my client retaining certain items as well. The parties were able to resolve their Interim Applications.
We appeared before the Judge when Interim Orders were made by the Court. In regard to the remaining substantive issues concerning the ownership of the former matrimonial home, retention of shareholdings and options of the husband in his employer company, the division of superannuation, and the division of the remaining assets, the Application was put on the list of the pending cases for trial. The parties had already attended a formal Mediation which they had paid for but without successfully negotiating a settlement.
The Judge hearing the matter informed the parties that because of the under appointment of Judges to the Family Court which created a limited capacity for her to hear the matter, that the call-over of trial matters would not take place prior to 12 months and that it would be another 12 months before a trial date could be allocated to the matter.
She further advised that Judges are required to list two matters for each Trial date being one children’s matter and a property matter. She further advised that if the children’s matter set down on the Trial date had not resolved then it would take preference over the property matter and the property matter would be adjourned back to a list of matters awaiting a Trial date, which could mean a further lengthy delay before a Trial date is appointed. The matter if it remains in Court may not be heard for a period of at least three (3) years.
Fortunately, my client, who was the wife in the proceedings, is able to reside comfortably in the former matrimonial home with the children.
The mortgage secured over the property had been converted to an interest-only loan at 4.24% for a period of five (5) years, which was imminently affordable for her. She maintained sound employment. She enjoyed the extensive gardens at the home.
The husband, however, was anxious to move on with his life. He had formed a new partnership and wished the matter to be resolved swiftly, which was not going to happen if the matter remained in the Court. This put great pressure on him to resolve property issues to his disadvantage.
Arbitration Australia — A Voluntary Process
A viable alternative to Litigation is Arbitration. This is extensively used in the building and construction industry. In the 1980s and 1990s, Arbitration was also used in family law matters. There were disadvantages under the legislation at that time in using Arbitration and its use diminished. The Family Law Regulations were amended in 2001 which overcame the earlier problems associated with Arbitration Australia.
The amendments to the regulations allowed the registrations of Awards, which meant that either party could registrar an Award without the consent of the other party and it would still be binding on both parties. Before the amendments were made if an Award was made by the Arbitrator and one party disagreed and did not give consent to the registration of the Award then the Award could not be registered and was not binding.
After the amendments to the Regulations, the Awards now are binding even though one party may not give consent to the registration of the Award and the Awards become a binding Order of the Court.
There is now an obligation on solicitors to advise clients of the means of resolving their difficulties by way of Arbitration. There is a requirement to provide to clients a brochure titled, Marriages Family’s and Separation which deals with this and provides details of Arbitration.
The only limitation placed on Arbitration is that it cannot deal with child support issues and is unable to make binding Orders in regard to a child’s welfare. Parenting matters can be discussed, during the course of Arbitration and an agreement may be reached by the parties in regard to such matters.
The parties if they reach an agreement on parenting issues during the course of Arbitration can have that agreement set out in a Parenting Agreement or can apply to the Court for Orders to be issued by way of Consent Orders. The Award of the Arbitrator if it is to be registered with the Court and to issue as a binding Agreement, is limited to property settlement and spousal/defacto maintenance issues.
Laurence Boulle, Professor of Law, Bond University QLD, in a newsletter published in January 2014 set out the following information in regards to Arbitration:
Features of Arbitration
The Arbitration procedure is underpinned by an agreement between the parties arbitrator. This arbitration agreement sets out and determines:
Appointment of the arbitrator;
Issues for determination;
Form of the arbitration;
A timetable;
Procedure for the arbitration;
Whether or not the rules of evidence will be applied;
Receipt of evidence from other sources, e.g. experts and documents;
Default procedures and the circumstances in which the arbitration can be terminated;
Costs of the arbitration, including payment of disbursements and the responsibility for payment of those; and
Any other matter the parties may feel is relevant.
Forms Of Arbitration
‘papers’ only arbitration;
Representation of parties;
Oral evidence or affidavit only;
Nor limited or full cross-examination;
No, limited or full disclosure;
No, limited or full pleadings; and
Opening and closing addresses.
Procedures In Aid
There are a number of circumstances where the Court can be called upon to assist in the conduct of an Arbitration — apart from the general power to make Orders to facilitate the Arbitration.
One instance is the ability of the Arbitrator to refer a question of law arising in the Arbitration to a judge for determination. Another example arises in circumstances where, in the course of a Court-referred Arbitration under s19D, a party does not comply with a procedural direction or, in the view of the Arbitrator, does not have the capacity to participate in the Arbitration.
A third example of assistance provided by the Court relates to the ability of a party to apply to the Court for the issue of a subpoena to attend and/or produce documents at the Arbitration Australia. This subpoena has the same validity and effect as any other subpoena issued by the Court.
Registration, Enforcement, And Review Of Awards
Once an Award has been handed down in the prescribed form, either party can apply to the Court for registration of the Award. The other party then has twenty-eight (28) days to object to its registration. Upon registration, the Award has the same effect as if it were an Order of the Court and can be enforced in the same way.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Family Law Act and the Family Court Act, the Family Court can:
Review and award on questions of law; and/or
Set aside an Award on the grounds that:
The award was obtained by fraud (which included the non-disclosure of a material matter);
The Award or agreement is void voidable or unenforceable;
Since the making of the Award, circumstances have arisen which make it impracticable for the Award or parts of it to be carried out;
The Arbitrator was affected by bias or there was a lack of procedural fairness in the Arbitration.
Professor Boulle states in his newsletter; “By limiting a review to a question of law only, the legislation arguable gives Arbitration Awards less potential to be overturned than a judge’s decision.“
Not all matters will be suitable for Arbitration. Solicitors acting for the parties would need to determine if the matter would be suitable for Arbitration and whether the parties would accept an award made by the Arbitrator which then becomes binding if registered with the Court.
However, the costs saving of proceeding by way of Arbitration Australia are considerable.
Peter Baston a respected Barrister, who is a qualified Arbitrator, recently published an Article and gave details of his costs for conducting an Arbitration.
Article Source: Arbitration Australia
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