About LEADR

LEADR at a glance

LEADR is an Australasian, not-for-profit membership organisation formed in 1989 to serve the community by promoting and facilitating the use of consensual dispute resolution processes generally known as Alternative Dispute Resolution or ADR.

LEADR is a source of mediators for the business, legal and broad community sectors. LEADR provides training at all levels of skills from the basic course through to advanced workshops and continuing professional development.

LEADR has members in all States and Territories of Australia, across New Zealand and in many countries in our region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Thailand, and Japan. LEADR also has members in the USA and UK.

LEADR is loosely affiliated with similar organisations in other countries.

LEADR is administered from its Head Office at Level 9, 15 - 17 Young Street, Sydney, Australia.

LEADR Board of Directors

LEADR is a membership organisation governed by a Board of Directors. Directors are elected representatives from New Zealand and from all Australian states in which LEADR has chapters. The responsibilities of the Board are set out in LEADR’s constitution.

On 6 December 2005 the LEADR Elections were conducted in accordance with the Constitution. These elections were for the first time for a two year term for Directors. The two year term is seen as an opportunity to promote medium and long term planning and follows the constitutional change approved by the members in 2004.

Current board members are:

To contact the Board, email chair@leadr.com.au

LEADR objectives

LEADR aims to:

• Serve the community by promoting and facilitating the development, acceptance and usage of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Promote education and research in ADR
• Disseminate information for the benefit of its members and the community
• Provide simple and effective access to dispute resolution professionals
• Assist organisation in developing effective grievance handling procedures
• Ensure excellence in the delivery of ADR solutions to our region through training, accreditation and development of a national standard for practitioners.

LEADR services

LEADR's services include:

• Providing a list on this website of independent mediators and other dispute resolution practitioners accredited by LEADR
• Providing referrals to mediators and other dispute resolution practitioners on request through our office
• Providing advice and assistance in developing specialist panels of mediators to meet the needs of particular industries and organisations
• Facilitating/organising mediations and conciliations
• Providing adjudicators in several specialised areas including building and construction industry payment disputes, domain name disputes, and determination of GST provisions in long-term non-reviewable contracts
• Designing in-house dispute resolution and complaints handling systems
• Operating a pro bono mediation service for legally aided parties
• Training in key areas of dispute resolution at introductory, basic and advanced levels
• Accrediting mediators on the basis of a competency-based assessment process
• Publishing a regular e-newsletter LEADR Update which provides information
• Providing resources for mediators and clients, including standard mediation agreements and mediation clauses for inclusion in contracts and agreements and the Australasian Dispute Resolution Service published in association with Lawbook Co
• Providing mediation rooms at our Sydney office
• Supporting contact among mediators through conferences and events including ADR networking meetings in most cities on a regular basis
• Organising and hosting a bi-ennial International Conference on ADR
• Liaising with other ADR organisations nationally and internationally
• Promoting expanded use of alternative dispute resolution through outreach to organisations and sectors who could benefit from ADR
• Preparing research and submissions on ADR

Ethical standards

LEADR members are subject to clearly stated obligations of ethical behaviour. Failure to comply with these requirements can be the cause of action by the Board to initiate disciplinary processes.

LEADR members are governed by two key documents in this regard:

• The statement of the ethical requirements for the practice of mediation, which was created by the Law Council of Australia and has been adopted by the LEADR Board, and
• LEADR’s Discipline Process

Feedback and complaints

LEADR’s Feedback Scheme is used by LEADR to manage and respond to positive and negative feedback, and includes its complaints handling process.

Feedback is an expression of satisfaction, praise, dissatisfaction, complaint or concern about any aspect of LEADR service, its staff, its members or any ADR practitioner accredited by LEADR.  Feedback may be given verbally or in writing, on the phone or in person, or in a feedback survey.

LEADR takes complaints seriously. Our feedback processes are versatile, accessible and easy to use to prevent escalation and restore trust. The scheme aims to resolve complaints at, or as close as possible, to the point of service.

Responses to feedback are prompt and sensitive, and keep the person informed. The scheme’s processes emphasise joint problem solving and communication. All parties have the opportunity to tell their version of events and all feedback and complaints are treated fairly and impartially.

LEADR Feedback Scheme including its complaints handling process >>

New Zealand and Australian State Chapters

Chapters are active in New Zealand, and in Australia in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, each with its own executive committee. Follow the relevant link or email the LEADR office (leadr@leadr.com.au) for further information about state chapter activities.

LEADR staff

Head Office

LEADR New Zealand

LEADR’s Head Office is based in Sydney and the New Zealand Chapter office is based in Wellington.

For addresses and other contact details, go to Contact Us >>

Queries? Let us help

Contact us for more information or assistance.

Telephone: 02 9251 3366
Freecall: 1800 651 650
E-mail: leadr@leadr.com.au

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