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DISPUTE RESOLUTION

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Hit your professional best with postgraduate study

A POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATION IN DISPUTE RESOLUTION GIVES YOU AN EDGE

The College of Law helps you develop advanced skills in negotiation, mediation and arbitration to handle disputes outside the courtroom. Your career is an opportunity to unlock your potential. Postgraduate study equips you with the practical skills to do it, helping you meet a version of yourself who can achieve things you could only imagine.

Advance your career by learning practical strategies to manage conflict, facilitate agreements, and resolve matters efficiently. Study a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Laws to strengthen your conflict management capability and apply practical dispute resolution strategies.

Enhance your reputation as a dispute resolution expert and expand your career options.

Scroll down to explore postgraduate study options in dispute resolution law.

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INTAKE 1 STARTS 9 FEB 2026

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PROGRAM OPTIONS - DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Graduate Certificate in Applied Law

2

Choose two subjects in your chosen area

A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)

$4,150 per subject - FEE-HELP

Approx 6 months
Learn more

Graduate Diploma of Applied Law

4

Choose four subjects in your chosen area

A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)

$4,150 per subject - FEE-HELP

1 year part-time
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Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Dispute Resolution

8

3 DRP subjects, 4 elective subjects or a second major and the Capstone project in Dispute Resolution

A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)

$4,150 per subject - FEE-HELP

2 years part-time
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OR START WITH A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE

Take control of your career

If you decide later to progress towards a Masters, you’ll receive credit towards that award.

Learn more

DISPUTE RESOLUTION SUBJECTS

DRP00 - Capstone Project (Dispute Resolution)

Intake 2, 4
The Capstone Project is taken as the final subject, as a culmination of the knowledge and skills attained throughout the major. It will allow students to demonstrate their skills in a specialist practice area using real-life scenarios and case studies. Throughout the intake, students will receive individualised feedback from their lecturer and will also have access to a rich array of skills modules that include guides, samples, and practice exercises for honing their legal skills. The highlight of the Capstone Project is the final task, where students will prepare a Final Portfolio that demonstrates their legal writing, research, and oral skills.

TOPICS

THE SUBJECT HAS FOUR COMPONENTS

  1. Four short answer questions
  2. Two legal writing samples
  3. Oral communication (e.g. client interview) assessment held through online conferencing
  4. Reflective analysis

DRP1 - Foundations of Dispute Resolution

Intake 1, 3
With increasing demand for effective and efficient dispute resolution, lawyers must be familiar with the varieties of dispute resolution avenues available to their clients and competently advise their clients through the process. This subject forms the foundation to the Dispute Resolution Practice major setting students up with the knowledge required for practice in their area. It will have a strong problem-solving and experiential focus.

TOPICS

  • Background to dispute resolution
  • Preparing for negotiation
  • Managing negotiation
  • Preparing for mediation
  • Managing mediation
  • Conciliation
  • Expert determination
  • Arbitration
  • Litigation and finalising resolution agreements

DRP2 - Negotiation

Intake 2, 4
All lawyers negotiate – this applies equally to litigation lawyers, to mediators and to commercial lawyers. This subject is relevant to lawyers and mediators of all disciplines. The content of the course includes both dispute resolution and transactional deal making.

TOPICS

  • Introducing negotiation
  • Models of negotiation
  • Preparing for negotiation Implementing a planned negotiation
  • Managing the negotiation process
  • Applying critical communication skills to negotiation
  • Managing challenging issues in negotiations
  • Negotiating ethically

DRP3 - Advocacy

Intake Intensive
Advocacy skills are key for all lawyers. The ability to be able to persuasively put forward the client’s position is key, whether inside or outside the courtroom. This subject is a skills-based subject, focused on developing students' skill at preparation and argument and developing the foundations for advanced and integrated understandings of the subject. Students will participate in various exercises such as presenting an opening statement, examination-in-chief, cross-examination, re-examination and argument. Throughout the workshop students will be provided feedback from senior practitioners and with the opportunity to practise and hone their skills. Strong emphasis is placed on teaching students the skills of preparation which will make them a successful advocate, inside or outside the courtroom. This is a general advocacy subject which will have direct practical relevance to students, regardless of the area of practice. Please note: This subject is intensive with a compulsory face-to-face workshop.

TOPICS

  • Fundamentals of advocacy and the advocate's role
  • Ethics and an advocate's duty to the client and the court
  • Rules of evidence
  • Examination-in-chief
  • Witnesses (lay and expert) and interpreters
  • Cross-examination and re-examination
  • Submissions and arguments

DRP4 - Mediation

Intake Intensive

This subject discusses where mediation sits on the dispute resolution spectrum and how the process assists in the resolution of disputes. The mediation process and the skills used by mediators within the mediation process, are also discussed. This is an intensive subject with pre-work followed by a compulsory four day intensive workshop. This course structure satisfies the requirements under the NMAS. The College of Law offers the National Mediation Assessment. Find your course here.

* Current Nationally Accredited Mediators are eligible for advanced standing for this DRP4 Mediation subject.

TOPICS

  • The dispute resolution spectrum
  • Conflict analysis and pre-mediation preparation
  • Mediation models and processes
  • Communication skills and mediation
  • Facilitative mediation
  • Mediating a matter

 

START DATES

Showing options for 'General'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.
Feb Intake 1 May Intake 2 Aug Intake 3 Nov Intake 4
START DATE 09 Feb 2026 11 May 2026 10 Aug 2026 09 Nov 2026
CENSUS 25 Feb 2026 27 May 2026 26 Aug 2026 02 Dec 2026
END DATE 01 May 2026 31 Jul 2026 30 Oct 2026 05 Feb 2027
Showing options for 'Intensives'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.
Subject Start Date Census End Date Workshop Date
DRP3 - Advocacy 21 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026
DRP4 - Mediation 19 Jan 2026 28 Jan 2026 27 Feb 2026

9 - 13 February 2026
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 09 Feb 2026 18 Feb 2026 20 Mar 2026

Intake 1
2-4 March 2026 NSW/VIC
5-7 March 2026 QLD/WA

Intake 2
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2026 NSW/VIC
3 -5 Sept 2026 QLD/WA
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Aug 2026 19 Aug 2026 18 Sep 2026

Intake 1
2-4 March 2026 NSW/VIC
5-7 March 2026 QLD/WA

Intake 2
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2026 NSW/VIC
3 -5 Sept 2026 QLD/WA
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 23 Mar 2026 01 Apr 2026 01 May 2026

Intake 1, 2026
16 - 18 April 2026   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 April 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
15 - 17 October 2026   NSW/VIC
12 - 14 October 2026  QLD/WA
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 21 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026

Intake 1, 2026
16 - 18 April 2026   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 April 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
15 - 17 October 2026   NSW/VIC
12 - 14 October 2026  QLD/WA
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 04 May 2026 13 May 2026 12 Jun 2026

Intake 1, 2026
25 - 27 May 2026  NSW/VIC
28 - 30 May 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
23 - 25 November 2026 NSW/VIC
26 - 28 November 2026 QLD/WA
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 02 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 11 Dec 2026

Intake 1, 2026
25 - 27 May 2026  NSW/VIC
28 - 30 May 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
23 - 25 November 2026 NSW/VIC
26 - 28 November 2026 QLD/WA
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 26 Jan 2026 04 Feb 2026 06 Mar 2026

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 15 Jun 2026 24 Jun 2026 24 Jul 2026

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 25 Jan 2027 03 Feb 2027 05 Mar 2027

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 06 Apr 2026 16 Apr 2026 29 May 2026

Intake 1, 2026
Day 1: 23 April 2026    
Days 2-4: 28-30 April 2026
Day 5: 20 May 2026

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1: 25 September 2026    
Days 2-4: 29 September - 1 October 2026
Day 5: 21 October 2026
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026

Intake 1, 2026
Day 1: 23 April 2026    
Days 2-4: 28-30 April 2026
Day 5: 20 May 2026

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1: 25 September 2026    
Days 2-4: 29 September - 1 October 2026
Day 5: 21 October 2026
LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success 04 May 2026 13 May 2026 12 Jun 2026
LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success 02 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 11 Dec 2025
Showing options for 'FDRP'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.
Subject Start Date Census End Date Workshop Date
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 09 Feb 2026 18 Feb 2026 20 Mar 2026

Intake 1
2-4 March 2026 NSW/VIC
5-7 March 2026 QLD/WA

Intake 2
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2026 NSW/VIC
3 -5 Sept 2026 QLD/WA
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Aug 2026 19 Aug 2026 18 Sep 2026

Intake 1
2-4 March 2026 NSW/VIC
5-7 March 2026 QLD/WA

Intake 2
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2026 NSW/VIC
3 -5 Sept 2026 QLD/WA
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 23 Mar 2026 01 Apr 2026 01 May 2026

Intake 1, 2026
16 - 18 April 2026   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 April 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
15 - 17 October 2026   NSW/VIC
12 - 14 October 2026  QLD/WA
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 21 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026

Intake 1, 2026
16 - 18 April 2026   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 April 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
15 - 17 October 2026   NSW/VIC
12 - 14 October 2026  QLD/WA
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 04 May 2026 13 May 2026 12 Jun 2026

Intake 1, 2026
25 - 27 May 2026  NSW/VIC
28 - 30 May 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
23 - 25 November 2026 NSW/VIC
26 - 28 November 2026 QLD/WA
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 02 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 11 Dec 2026

Intake 1, 2026
25 - 27 May 2026  NSW/VIC
28 - 30 May 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
23 - 25 November 2026 NSW/VIC
26 - 28 November 2026 QLD/WA
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 26 Jan 2026 04 Feb 2026 06 Mar 2026

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 

 
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 15 Jun 2026 24 Jun 2026 24 Jul 2026

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 

 
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 25 Jan 2027 03 Feb 2027 05 Mar 2027

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 

 
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 06 Apr 2026 16 Apr 2026 29 May 2026

Intake 1, 2026
Day 1: 23 April 2026    
Days 2-4: 28-30 April 2026
Day 5: 20 May 2026

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1: 25 Sept 2026    
Days 2-4: 29 Sept - 1 Oct 2026
Day 5: 21 Oct 2026
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026

Intake 1, 2026
Day 1: 23 April 2026    
Days 2-4: 28-30 April 2026
Day 5: 20 May 2026

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1: 25 Sept 2026    
Days 2-4: 29 Sept - 1 Oct 2026
Day 5: 21 Oct 2026

TEACHING STAFF

Alexandra Theydon

Head of Transaction Risk
DXC Technology
Find out more

Clare Dart

Barrister
Win Paten Chambers
Find out more

Florence Thum

Assistant Director and Lecturer, Psychotherapist and Coach
LLB, GradCertEd, Mcounselling and Applied Psychotherapy, LLM

Former litigation and dispute resolution lawyer with postgraduate qualifications in law, education and psychotherapy, Florence is keen to extend your professional skills in the modern workplace.

Harold Werksman

Self employed
Find out more

Linda Kochanski AM

Practice Area Leader: FDR and Mediation Programs and Director: Amadras Board
Find out more

NAVIGATE TOWARDS A SOLUTION

Dispute Resolution Course Guide

Career in Dispute Resolution Guide

Graduate Certificate Course Guide

5 Tips for Choosing Postgraduate Subjects

How to Ask Your Employer to Fund Your Postgraduate Studies

HAVE QUESTIONS OR READY TO ENROL?

Book a call back with one of our Customer and Student Engagement Advisors

Book a Call

I commenced the course with the mindset that I want to help families and offer them the quality dispute resolution services they deserve.

Dr Hadeel Al-Alosi, FDRP Graduate

Each of us brings something from our own experience, knowledge and wisdom about family law, mediation and dispute resolution, so we are always able to share and learn.

Josephine Byrnes-Luna, FDRP Graduate

Family law can be very litigious, but it doesn't have to be. So my practice in learning more about dispute resolution areas and how to manage dispute pollution and conflict resolution was valuable.

Emma Youdale, LLM Alumni Graduate

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