Accreditations & Professional Memberships
NMAS ACCREDITED
NSW LAW SOCIETY — FLSS
NSW SUPREME COURT MEDIATOR
BAR ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES
COMMONWEALTH ADRP
LLM — UNSW (1996)
WHY REFERRING LAWYERS CHOOSE NEIL
A mediator with deep legal roots
When you refer a client to mediation, you need to know the mediator will handle the matter with the same professional rigour you bring to your own practice. Neil Jackson’s background is unique: he spent 27 years as Family Court Counsel before focusing on mediation and arbitration full-time.
That legal depth shapes every session he runs — from intake through to settlement.
This evaluative approach, offered only with the consent of all parties, is valued by experienced family lawyers precisely because it reflects how matters are ultimately decided — and because it moves difficult cases forward.
Legal Depth
38+ years as a family lawyer and 27 years at the NSW Bar means Neil understands complex financial disputes, parenting matters, and the pressures on both parties and their legal representatives.
Lawyer-Friendly Process
Legal representatives attend intake assessments and participate throughout. Neil’s process is designed to work with lawyers, not around them.
High Settlement Rate
Neil’s evaluative style — offered only with party consent — consistently produces outcomes that allow clients to avoid the cost, delay, and uncertainty of contested hearings.
Flexible Formats
Joint sessions, shuttle mediation, and Microsoft Teams video conferencing — adapted to each matter’s complexity and the parties’ circumstances.
Where Every Mediation Begins
The Intake Assessment
Before any mediation session begins, Neil conducts an individual intake assessment with each party. Where parties are legally represented, their lawyer attends the intake as well. This is not a formality — it is the most important step in the process.
The intake assessment allows Neil to determine the most appropriate format, identify any family violence or high-conflict issues, and ensure that all participants understand his role, the confidentiality requirements, and the process that will follow.
For lawyers, the intake is an opportunity to ensure the mediation is structured in a way that best serves your client. Neil works with legal representatives at this stage to understand the key issues, establish the agenda, and confirm the session format.
1
Joint Mediation
All participants meet in the same location. Effective where parties are willing to engage directly with each other in a structured, professionally facilitated environment.
2
Shuttle Mediation
Parties are placed in separate rooms. Neil moves between them, gathering information and exploring options without requiring direct contact. Preferred where family violence is alleged or significant power imbalances exist.
3
Video via Microsoft Teams
Mediations conducted entirely online using Microsoft Teams — available for all matter types and particularly convenient for parties and lawyers outside the Sydney CBD.
The Mediation Process
How it works, step by step
Step 1
Opening & Ground Rules
Neil begins by explaining his role as an impartial mediator. He outlines the confidentiality requirements that bind all participants, including the without-prejudice privilege that applies to discussions during the process. Legal representatives are reminded of their professional conduct obligations. Each party — or their legal representative — is invited to outline their goals and expectations for the session.
Information Sharing & Issue Identification
Each party presents their position and raises the issues that matter most to them. Neil facilitates this exchange in a structured, respectful way — ensuring both parties feel heard. Where relevant, legal representatives assist their client in articulating key issues. Financial disclosure documents are reviewed at this stage for property matters.
Step 2
Step 3
Setting the Agenda
Neil identifies areas of common ground and maps the outstanding issues requiring resolution. A clear agenda is established, and parties are invited to prioritise the items they most want to address. This structure keeps the session focused and ensures that the most critical issues receive appropriate time and attention.
Negotiation & Options Exploration
The core negotiation phase begins. Each party, guided by Neil, articulates their interests, concerns, and proposals. Neil facilitates the exploration of options — and, where parties consent, may offer his own assessment of the likely court outcome. This evaluative input, grounded in 38 years of family law experience, is often the turning point in difficult mediations.
Step 4
Step 5
Settlement & Agreement
Where the mediation produces agreement — in whole or in part — Neil brings all participants back into a joint session to confirm the terms. Agreed outcomes are recorded in writing. Where full agreement is not reached, partial settlements are documented and the remaining issues are clearly identified, assisting parties and lawyers in narrowing the scope of any subsequent proceedings.
Areas of Practice
Parenting & Property Matters
Parenting Disputes
Before applying to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for parenting orders, most parties are required to make a genuine attempt at family dispute resolution. Neil is authorised to issue the section 60I certificate required to file proceedings where mediation has been attempted but has not resolved the matter.
Neil’s approach to parenting mediations is child-focused and sensitive to the power dynamics that frequently arise in high-conflict matters.
Property & Financial Disputes
Neil’s background includes complex financial disputes drawn from 27 years of practice at the NSW Bar and his Master of Laws at UNSW. He is comfortable with asset pools involving business interests, superannuation, trusts, and competing contribution arguments.
His evaluative approach is particularly valuable in property mediations, where an experienced assessment of the likely range of court outcomes can help parties and their lawyers find a realistic resolution.
For Legal Representatives
Confidentiality & Privilege
Without-Prejudice Privilege
All discussions and documents exchanged during the mediation process are legally privileged and conducted on a without-prejudice basis — meaning they cannot be used as evidence in subsequent court proceedings.
Financial Disclosure Documents
Financial disclosure documents exchanged between parties are excluded from privilege and may be required to be produced in proceedings — consistent with the general duty of disclosure under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).
NMAS Standards
Neil is bound by the confidentiality requirements of the National Mediator Accreditation System. Legal representatives’ own professional conduct obligations apply throughout the mediation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions from referring lawyers
How quickly can a mediation be scheduled?
Neil aims to accommodate urgent matters promptly. For standard matters, intake assessments can typically be arranged within one to two weeks, with the full mediation session scheduled shortly thereafter. Contact Neil directly to discuss availability for your matter.
Can mediation proceed if there are serious family violence allegations?
Yes, but the format will be carefully assessed. Where family violence is alleged or where there is a significant safety concern, shuttle mediation is the preferred approach. Neil’s intake assessment specifically addresses these issues and determines whether mediation is appropriate and, if so, in what format.
Do I attend as the legal representative?
Yes. Where parties are represented, lawyers attend both the intake assessment and the mediation session. Neil’s process is designed for legally represented parties and he works actively with legal representatives throughout.
What happens if the matter only partially resolves?
Partial settlements are documented in writing at the conclusion of the session. The outstanding issues are clearly identified, which assists parties and their lawyers in narrowing the scope of any subsequent proceedings.
Is video mediation as effective as in-person mediation?
In Neil’s experience, well-prepared video mediations via Microsoft Teams are highly effective. The platform allows for breakout rooms that replicate the shuttle format, and many parties find the flexibility of remote attendance reduces logistical barriers to participation.
What is Neil's fee structure?
Neil’s fees are set out on the My Fees page. For complex or multi-day matters, contact Neil directly to discuss arrangements.
“Research shows that the majority of family law disputes that proceed to mediation resolve without the need for court intervention — saving families months of proceedings and significant legal costs for both parties.”