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The University of Western Australia is set to establish the first comprehensive mediation clinic at an Australian University.

Launching next month, the new clinic will provide free or low cost mediation services for UWA staff, students, alumni, and members of the community.

Run by UWA’s Law School, the mediation clinic will also offer an education opportunity for law students, with the clinic becoming part of a clinical legal education unit next year.

Professor Natalie Skead, Dean of the Law School, said the mediation clinic represents UWA’s commitment to serving the community.

“The University of Western Australia has a long history of dedicating resources to providing mediation education and training to its staff and students,” Professor Skead said.

“The UWA Mediation Clinic is the next step in taking UWA’s leadership in mediation, and connecting it with international research, community service, and clinical legal education. It represents the coming together of good thinking, generous support, and a dedication to building excellence in mediation practice in Australia.”

Clients will be able to access mediation in the areas of university matters, workplace, family, and community matters. In 2018, this will extend into legal matters where the students will act as mediation advocates.

Through research and evidence-based practice, the UWA Mediation Clinic will focus on improving mediation services in Australia. As such, clients receiving the free service will be invited to participate in research.

The UWA Mediation Clinic is possible thanks to the generous support of a UWA alumni grant, funding from the UWA executive, and donations from private citizens. Services will be donated from lawyers and mediators on a pro bono basis.

Media references

Alexandra Wingate (Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education)

(+61 8) 6488 5597