A Trusted Mediation Partner for Family Lawyers
Kannen Mediation works alongside family lawyers to support clients through structured, neutral and legally informed dispute resolution.
Your legal advice remains central to the process, while Kelly guides the mediation with clarity, structure and care.
Kelly Neighbour
Principal Mediator at Kannen Mediation
BA Psychology | LLB Laws
Accredited FDRP
Lawyer-Assisted Mediation
Intake Generally Within 7 Days
Mediation Built to Support Your Advice as a Lawyer
The process is designed to complement legal representation, keep lawyers informed, and support outcomes that are practical to formalise.
Legally Informed
Kelly understands the legal framework surrounding family law disputes, helping parties work towards outcomes that are practical and capable of being formalised.
Lawyer-Friendly Process
Referring lawyers can remain involved before intake, during lawyer-assisted mediation, and after agreement is reached.
Clean Handover
The process is designed to make drafting consent orders, Heads of Agreement or parenting plans more straightforward.
How Lawyer Assisted Mediation Works
A simple, structured process for busy lawyers and their clients.
Referral Submitted
You submit an online referral with key details.
We Contact Client
We gather necessary information to determine if mediation is right for you.
Suitability Intake
We complete an intake to confirm suitability and needs.
Mediation Scheduled
A convenient time is arranged for mediation.
Outcome Documentation
Agreements are reached and documented.
Lawyer Formalisation if Needed
You finalise the agreement in the appropriate form.
Mediation Outcomes Designed for a Clean Legal Handover
The goal is to support agreements that are clearer to document, easier to advise on, and better suited to the next legal step.
Legally Informed
Kelly understands the legal framework surrounding family law disputes, helping parties work towards outcomes that are practical and capable of being formalised.
Aligned with Court Frameworks
The process is mindful of the jurisdiction and procedural framework of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Designed for Durability
Outcomes are shaped with a focus on clarity, workability and long-term stability.
Aligned with the Law Council’s Guidelines for Lawyers in Mediations
Kelly brings both mediation skill and relevant subject-matter understanding, supported by accredited qualifications and a legal background.
Confidentiality from pre-mediation onward
Clear expectations at intake
Good faith engagement encouraged
Careful handling of private session information
Reliable post-mediation reporting where required
Meet Kelly Neighbour, Principal Mediator
Legal context matters in family mediation. A mediator who works without a clear understanding of the surrounding law can produce agreements that are awkward to formalise, adding to your workload rather than supporting it.
Kelly holds:
A Message from Kelly
Many mediators describe themselves as neutral. Many talk about creating space for dialogue. These descriptions are accurate, but they are also generic.
A mediator’s job extends beyond closing a file. It is to protect dignity, preserve working relationships, and support the lawyer in the room.
Structured
So mediation never drifts.
Courageous
So neutrality does not mean silence.
Durable
So outcomes hold up long after the session ends.
Kelly holds:
“Mediation works best when it supports legal advice, not replaces it.”
A Mediator Who Keeps You in the Conversation
A mediator who sidelines the referring lawyer has misunderstood the job. Your role matters before intake, during the session and after agreement is reached.
Fees and Engagement
A schedule of fees is available online and is also included in the Lawyer Referral Pack.
Fees are GST inclusive and payable prior to the scheduled session, with clear costs for intake, mediation, lawyer-assisted sessions and Section 60I Certificates.
Lawyer Referral Pack
Give your team the process, fees and referral details in one simple document.
Refer Your Client to Kannen Mediation
If you are looking for a mediator who will work alongside you to reach lasting outcomes for your clients, we welcome the conversation.
Lead times are generally intake within 7 days and mediation within 21 days.
