COVID-19 pushes Australian courts to adopt online dispute resolution

The Federal Court of Australia, the Family Court of Australia, and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia have all responded to the restrictions brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic by adopting online dispute resolution solutions.

Melbourne-based Immediation will be providing the courts with an online dispute resolution platform that incorporates video conferencing, hoping to mimic real-life mediation, and hearing sessions.

The arrangement enables the courts to resolve complex commercial and family disputes virtually, Immediation said.

The Commonwealth Courts each conducted a series of trials over the last five weeks. The trials saw high-end commercial mediations successfully conducted by Court Registrars with up to 25 participants, including clients, barristers, solicitors, and in-house counsel in virtual attendance.