Mediation
Karen mediates litigated and informal disputes across a broad range of practice areas. She is available to mediate in-person and/or online, as the particular matter requires.
- Institutional & carer abuse (all Cth, State & Territory jurisdictions)
- Clinical negligence
- Government (schools, roads, police, emergency services, armed forces)
- Professional liability (incl real estate agents, pest & building inspectors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, gambling agencies)
- Public, occupier’s & vicarious liability
- Work injury damages (incl workplace harassment & bullying)
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Family provisions (wills & estates)
- Dust Diseases
- Commercial disputes, (leasing, franchising, partnerships, insolvency, TPA claims)
- Real Property, (strata, trespass, nuisance)
- Construction disputes
- Disputes involving self-represented litigants
I charge a flat rate which includes all reading and preparation time.
| 2026 | Two Parties | Three or Four Parties | 5+ Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Day (up to 4 hours): | $3,600 + GST | $4,000 + GST | $5,000 + GST |
| One Day: | $5,000 + GST | $5,600 + GST | $1,500 + GST per party |
My preparation usually includes separate pre-mediation teleconferences, to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant issues and to troubleshoot in advance of the day, if needed.
In addition, for matters involving multiple defendants, I routinely offer to facilitate a pre-mediation tele or video conference for the defendant parties, to identify areas of agreement. See “My Approach” page for more information.
How: I am available to mediate in-person and/or online, as the particular matter requires.
Where: I am based in Sydney and Tasmania and also mediate on a frequent basis in Canberra.
Travel:
- I do not charge for my travel time and I do not require a full day’s booking to mediate outside Sydney.
- Travel expenses are charged for mediations conducted in regional NSW (save for Newcastle & Wollongong), Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. No travel expenses are charged for mediations conducted in Tasmania.
When: My calendar is not published on my website. You can obtain my current availability and rates in an automatic return email on: Diary@ADRServices.com.au
For any specific questions or requirements, please send an email to: Karen@ADRservices.com.au or telephone me on: 0418 292 283
I respond most quickly to email inquiries and always on the same day.
I will also agree to have dates marked in my diary and held on a “tentative” basis, until I seek confirmation either way.
Bookings can be for a half or full day as required. I usually do not schedule 2 matters on the same day unless they are related. That way, the mediator’s diary does not dictate the start or finish time of the mediation and I can give it my full energy.
Correspondence regarding an initial inquiry also helps me to:
- make space in my diary where I can,
- think about whether a bespoke mediation process may be beneficial,
- tailor a suggested preparation timetable when a booking is confirmed.
This is sent to the parties on confirmation of the mediation booking.
- The Mediation Protocol includes a version of the Confidentiality Agreement that I will ask the attendees to sign on the day.
- It is in accordance with the Law Society NSW and NMAS standard terms.
- My mediation fees are outlined therein.
- I invite the legal teams to review and pass this document on to their clients in advance of the mediation. Questions or requested amendments are ideally managed before the mediation day. The Protocol does not need to be signed but unless I receive any questions or objections before the mediation day, I assume all participants agree to all terms.
Mediation
Karen mediates litigated and informal disputes across a broad range of practice areas. She is available to mediate in-person and/or online, as the particular matter requires.
- Institutional & carer abuse (all Cth, State & Territory jurisdictions)
- Clinical negligence
- Government (schools, roads, police, emergency services, armed forces)
- Professional liability (incl real estate agents, pest & building inspectors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, gambling agencies)
- Public, occupier’s & vicarious liability
- Work injury damages (incl workplace harassment & bullying)
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Family provisions (wills & estates)
- Dust Diseases
- Commercial disputes, (leasing, franchising, partnerships, insolvency, TPA claims)
- Real Property, (strata, trespass, nuisance)
- Construction disputes
- Disputes involving self-represented litigants
I charge a flat rate which includes all reading and preparation time.
| 2026 | Two Parties | Three or Four Parties | 5+ Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Day (up to 4 hours): | $3,600 + GST | $4,000 + GST | $5,000 + GST |
| One Day: | $5,000 + GST | $5,600 + GST | $1,500 + GST per party |
My preparation usually includes separate pre-mediation teleconferences, to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant issues and to troubleshoot in advance of the day, if needed.
In addition, for matters involving multiple defendants, I routinely offer to facilitate a pre-mediation tele or video conference for the defendant parties, to identify areas of agreement. See “My Approach” page for more information.
How: I am available to mediate in-person and/or online, as the particular matter requires.
Where: I am based in Sydney and Tasmania and also mediate on a frequent basis in Canberra.
Travel:
- I do not charge for my travel time and I do not require a full day’s booking to mediate outside Sydney.
- Travel expenses are charged for mediations conducted in regional NSW (save for Newcastle & Wollongong), Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. No travel expenses are charged for mediations conducted in Tasmania.
When: My calendar is not published on my website. You can obtain my current availability and rates in an automatic return email on: Diary@ADRServices.com.au
For any specific questions or requirements, please send an email to: Karen@ADRservices.com.au or telephone me on: 0418 292 283
I respond most quickly to email inquiries and always on the same day.
I will also agree to have dates marked in my diary and held on a “tentative” basis, until I seek confirmation either way.
Bookings can be for a half or full day as required. I usually do not schedule 2 matters on the same day unless they are related. That way, the mediator’s diary does not dictate the start or finish time of the mediation and I can give it my full energy.
Correspondence regarding an initial inquiry also helps me to:
- make space in my diary where I can,
- think about whether a bespoke mediation process may be beneficial,
- tailor a suggested preparation timetable when a booking is confirmed.
This is sent to the parties on confirmation of the mediation booking.
- The Mediation Protocol includes a version of the Confidentiality Agreement that I will ask the attendees to sign on the day.
- It is in accordance with the Law Society NSW and NMAS standard terms.
- My mediation fees are outlined therein.
- I invite the legal teams to review and pass this document on to their clients in advance of the mediation. Questions or requested amendments are ideally managed before the mediation day. The Protocol does not need to be signed but unless I receive any questions or objections before the mediation day, I assume all participants agree to all terms.
Expert Conclaves
I am retained in the Facilitator role on a regular basis.
If it is agreed that a stenographer will also be retained, it is my usual practice to make these arrangements with my preferred stenographer.
In Facilitating an expert witness conclave and producing the joint report I appreciate the importance of:
- a thorough understanding of the brief and the legal issues;
- guiding the experts in their obligations pursuant to the relevant legislation, court rules and practice notes
- ensuring the experts address the questions as put by the parties; and
- working within the various time constraints of the respective experts to bring the joint report to completion as quickly and efficiently as possible whilst facilitating each expert to consider and express their views without undue time pressure.
I ask to be provided with the email contact details of the experts in advance of the conclave so that I can introduce myself, send them a copy of the relevant court rules and the report template.
I find the experts appreciate this and it helps in establishing a good rapport with them, and for me to keep the conclave date on track – for example, by identifying if any experts have not received any or all of the briefing material in time and seeing that this is remedied, so that the conclave does not need to be postponed.
The conclave should not be fixed unless it is a date which will allow for the experts to have received the brief and any factual assumptions (if applicable), and the agreed questions being put, at least two weeks before the date of the conclave, as per the Supreme Court NSW practice note.
| Facilitation with the experts without stenographer assistance | $600 p/h + GST |
| Facilitation with the experts with stenographer assistance | $500 p/h + GST |
| Pre reading and preparation of the joint report post conclave | $400 p/h + GST |
| Stenography assistance | Charged in addition, at cost and arranged by Karen |
Expert Conclaves
I am retained in the Facilitator role on a regular basis.
If it is agreed that a stenographer will also be retained, it is my usual practice to make these arrangements with my preferred stenographer.
In Facilitating an expert witness conclave and producing the joint report I appreciate the importance of:
- a thorough understanding of the brief and the legal issues;
- guiding the experts in their obligations pursuant to the relevant legislation, court rules and practice notes
- ensuring the experts address the questions as put by the parties; and
- working within the various time constraints of the respective experts to bring the joint report to completion as quickly and efficiently as possible whilst facilitating each expert to consider and express their views without undue time pressure.
I ask to be provided with the email contact details of the experts in advance of the conclave so that I can introduce myself, send them a copy of the relevant court rules and the report template.
I find the experts appreciate this and it helps in establishing a good rapport with them, and for me to keep the conclave date on track – for example, by identifying if any experts have not received any or all of the briefing material in time and seeing that this is remedied, so that the conclave does not need to be postponed.
The conclave should not be fixed unless it is a date which will allow for the experts to have received the brief and any factual assumptions (if applicable), and the agreed questions being put, at least two weeks before the date of the conclave, as per the Supreme Court NSW practice note.
| Facilitation with the experts without stenographer assistance | $600 p/h + GST |
| Facilitation with the experts with stenographer assistance | $500 p/h + GST |
| Pre reading and preparation of the joint report post conclave | $400 p/h + GST |
| Stenography assistance | Charged in addition, at cost and arranged by Karen |
CPD Delivery
I routinely present at seminars and provide tailored in-house CPD sessions best suited to 1-2 hours. These are free of charge. Please contact me for discussion.
Past seminar speaking roles include:
2025
Delivery of in-house seminars on getting the most from mediation, common barriers to settlement and how the mediator can assist
2024, 2022, 2021
In-house seminars for Government litigation agencies, including “Mediation and Trauma Informed Practice”
2023
Central West Law Society NSW annual conference guest speaker
2020
Legalwise: Conclaves & getting a better joint expert report
2019
Legalwise: “Mediation and Negotiation – Understanding the Neurobiology of Human Conflict and What the Parties Can do to Get the Best Result”
2018
Medicolegal Society NSW, Avoiding and Managing Complaints and Open Disclosure – the Synergies in both professions
2018
Australian Medico-legal College, Tips for Expert Witnesses
2018
Legalwise Personal Injury Conference
2017
NSW Claims Discussion Group, Mediation: Understanding What Motivates a Plaintiff
2017
College of Law: Mediation – Preparation and Getting the Best Results
CPD Delivery
I routinely present at seminars and provide tailored in-house CPD sessions best suited to 1-2 hours. These are free of charge. Please contact me for discussion.
Past seminar speaking roles include:
2025
Delivery of in-house seminars on getting the most from mediation, common barriers to settlement and how the mediator can assist
2024, 2022, 2021
In-house seminars for Government litigation agencies, including “Mediation and Trauma Informed Practice”
2023
Central West Law Society NSW annual conference guest speaker
2020
Legalwise: Conclaves & getting a better joint expert report
2019
Legalwise: “Mediation and Negotiation – Understanding the Neurobiology of Human Conflict and What the Parties Can do to Get the Best Result”
2018
Medicolegal Society NSW, Avoiding and Managing Complaints and Open Disclosure – the Synergies in both professions
2018
Australian Medico-legal College, Tips for Expert Witnesses
2018
Legalwise Personal Injury Conference
2017
NSW Claims Discussion Group, Mediation: Understanding What Motivates a Plaintiff
2017
College of Law: Mediation – Preparation and Getting the Best Results
