Facilitating Children's Effective Participation in Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes

This study focused on what factors support and/or constrain children’s effective participation in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) forums. Two models used in family law and child protection settings were examined: Victoria Legal Aid’s Kids Talk family dispute resolution program, and the Victorian Children’s Court Conciliation Conference. This is the first Australian study to examine and compare these ADR models involving children. It also importantly determines the extent to which both approaches are compliant with UNCRC Article 12, which provides for children’s participation rights in decision-making processes.