Alison Osmand Mediation

First published in Focus Coffs Coast Magazine (Issue 177, October 2025)

Courtrooms make headlines, but most disputes are resolved far from a judge’s bench. That’s where mediation comes in; a structured, confidential conversation led by a neutral mediator who helps people talk, understand the issues, and craft their own agreement.

It can be ordered within a court matter or used privately as a faster, less stressful path to resolution. We sat down with a local mediator, Alison Osmand, to unpack how the process works, who it suits, and how to prepare so you get the most from your day at the table.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a dispute-resolution process where the parties are the decision-makers. A neutral third party, the mediator, facilitates discussion, helps clarify the issues, and supports the parties to explore options and, ideally, reach agreement. It’s often an alternative to litigation, but many court matters also include mediation so that outcomes aren’t imposed by a judge or magistrate.

What’s your approach to keeping the process fair?

Transparency and neutrality are fundamental. My role isn’t to decide who’s right or wrong or to impose an outcome; it’s to create a safe, structured forum where both sides are heard. I conduct a pre-mediation appointment with each party separately to understand their concerns and goals, explain the process and ground rules, and check for any safety or access needs. During mediation I ensure equal speaking time, reality-test proposals, and keep the discussion focused on interests, options, and practicality.

What matters do you specialise in?

I mediate mainly in family law (property/financial matters) and wills and estates disputes. I work with both lawyer-assisted mediations and self-represented parties. I’m not a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and cannot issue a section 60I certificate under the Family Law Act 1975 for parenting matters.

How should clients prepare?

Good legal advice is invaluable, get it if you can. A mediator can explain the process but does not give legal advice. If you have a lawyer, much of the preparation happens beforehand. If you’re self-represented, I’ll step through preparation in the pre-mediation meeting. Depending on the case, that may include exchanging key documents (e.g. valuations, bank statements, wills). Come with several settlement options, know your non-negotiables, and be willing to compromise. Practical prep matters too: think about timelines, cash flow, and how a proposal would work day-to-day.

What are common misconceptions?

A big one is that the mediator is a referee who makes the final call. In mediation, the parties make the decision, the mediator manages the process. Another misconception is treating mediation as “offer ping-pong” from the first minute. The real value lies in exploring the dispute, identifying interests and common ground, and only then moving to options and offers. People can also agree on interim steps that pave the way to final settlement later.

Can you share a success story?

In a recent interstate matter, one party worked in finance and felt confident about the numbers; the other had never managed the relationship finances and felt in the dark. Through patient, step-by-step conversation, we clarified what had happened to certain funds. Once understanding improved, anxiety dropped and the parties were able to negotiate constructively. They reached a resolution that felt fair and workable to both.

Online vs in-person, what works best?

Both are effective, and I tailor the format to the situation. Online mediation can provide comfort and safety, especially where there’s a power imbalance or high emotion. It also allows private break-out rooms and reduces travel. In-person sessions can help build rapport and momentum when parties are comfortable being in the same venue. Sometimes a hybrid model works, starting online, then meeting face-to-face for final negotiations.