Insights into Family Dispute Resolution

Louise Rees Louise is a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner accredited by the Attorney-General’s Department, as well as a Nationally Accredited Mediator. Her career commenced in 2007 within the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia, where she discovered her fervent interest in Family Law. Louise holds a BA Honours degree in Criminology and Social Policy from the University of Sheffield, England, and subsequently pursued her Bachelor of Laws in Australia. During her academic journey, she developed a deep appreciation for Alternative Dispute Resolution methodologies, igniting her passion for this specialized field. Louise went on to complete a Masters of Applied Law majoring in Family Dispute Resolution through the College of Law. She has worked as a paralegal and Family Lawyer in private practice, before moving into the not-for-profit space as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She is currently working as Service Manager at Relationships Australia QLD. In this capacity, Louise oversees the Family Dispute Resolution team, the Parenting Orders Program team, and the Community Education team, promoting effective conflict resolution and building stronger familial relationships within the Cairns and wider community. Cheryl Taifalos Born and raised in Far North Queensland with English as a second language, Cheryl attended James Cook University and Qld University of Technology graduating with a Bachelor of Laws. After working as a Family Lawyer for a number of years, she became an Accredited Family Law Specialist, a role she has maintained for 25 years. Her interest in Mediation grew with the introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the mid 1990s. Taking up all the training that was offered at that time, she was appointed to the panel of Family Law Mediators with Legal Aid Qld in 1998. Her work as a Family Lawyer has encompassed representing clients and also working as an Independent Childrens Lawyer, representing children in Family Law matters. Her long held belief is that an effective way to assist families in conflict is through Mediation. She has been a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner accredited by the Attorney General’s Department since the role was introduced in 2009. Currently she works as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner in the not for profit sector as well as in private practice. Cheryl has previously addressed Family Lawyers, Mediators and University Students on the role of mediators in the Family Court system.