News

About us
About us
- Dispute Advice
  Dispute Advice
  
  When you contact us for assistance we'll discuss your situation and provide advice on how to resolve your dispute with the other people involved.
- Mediation
  Mediation
  
  Mediation is a free, confidential process where parties try to resolve their issues with the help of a trained, impartial mediator.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team
  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team
  
  A dedicated group of Aboriginal staff who can provide dispute resolution information for members of the community.
- Civil Claims Program
  Civil Claims Program
  
  Parties who commence a civil action in a Victorian Magistrates' Court may be referred to us for a compulsory mediation session.
- Civil Mediation at VCAT Program
  Civil Mediation at VCAT Program
  
  DSCV and VCAT are operating in partnership to deliver alternative dispute resolution processes to everyday Victorians.
- Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) program
  Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) program
  
  DSCV have partnered with the Magistrates' Court of Victoria to bring mediation services to certain clients who are involved in a PSIO application.
- Policies and complaints
  Policies and complaints
  
  Read the DSCV's policies on client privacy, our client charter, and how to make a complaint about the service.
- Contact Us
  Contact Us
  
  The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV) can help you resolve a wide range of disputes without having to resort to taking legal action.
- How and when we can help
  How and when we can help
  
  Read about how we assess if our services are right for you.
Information and advice
Information and advice
- Fencing
  Fencing
  
  Issues around repairing or replacing a shared fence, damage to fences and boundary issues can all contribute to disputes between neighbours.
- Trees
  Trees
  
  Overhanging branches, damage from roots and dropped foliage can all contribute to issues between neighbours. Find out what to do about it.
- Starting the conversation
  Starting the conversation
  
  It's important to start the conversation off on the right foot when you are trying to resolve a dispute. These tips may help you to have that initial interaction.
- Solving problems
  Solving problems
  
  If things don't go well immediately, don't panic! Think about some of the following strategies when trying to resolve an issue with a neighbour.
- Reaching an agreement
  Reaching an agreement
  
  Most agreements you make will not require a formal acknowledgement. However, many people find that writing things down can help ensure that further disputes don't occur in the future.
- Obtaining legal advice
  Obtaining legal advice
  
  In any dispute, you may find it necessary to obtain legal advice from an independent, licensed practitioner. This can help you clarify your rights and responsibilities.
- Owners' corporations (formerly body corporate) disputes
  Owners' corporations (formerly body corporate) disputes
  
  The rules that all owners' corporations must have in place for resolving disputes and who to contact for further information.
- Retirement village disputes
  Retirement village disputes
  
  Information and guidance on what to do when things go wrong between residents or residents and the operators of a retirement village.
Training
Training
- Aboriginal dispute resolution training
  Aboriginal dispute resolution training
  
  Aboriginal Dispute Resolution Training is a unique service offering from the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria that aims to build relationships between the service and Aboriginal communities, whilst increasing capacity to resolve conflicts within individuals.
- Community Engagement Workshops
  Community Engagement Workshops
  
  We work with community groups to teach skills in conflict management and dispute prevention.
- Mediation training
  Mediation training
  
  We run nationally accredited mediation training courses, providing professional qualifications for a career in the mediation profession.

The latest from the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria.

How and when we can help

April 23rd, 2019

Read about how we assess if our services are right for you.

DSCV now assisting with retirement village disputes

April 17th, 2018

The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria will now provide appropriate dispute resolution services for retirement village residents or management who need assistance.

Training terms and conditions

January 11th, 2018

The following terms and conditions apply to all training courses offered by DSCV.

DSCV & VCAT Partnership Launched

September 27th, 2017

In September 2017, DSCV and VCAT will be enhancing access to justice for everyday Victorians through the Civil Mediation at VCAT program.

Woman with pillow over her head due to noise

Case study - Noise dispute

September 15th, 2017

Read about how the DSCV helped clients Dean & Kate, and Amir & Fahima to reach a resolution on their noise issue.

Dispute resolution in action

August 11th, 2017

See how a mediation helped the Maryborough parkour group get along with their council, residents and community.

Common questions that people ask about DSCV services

DSCV FAQs

August 11th, 2017

Got a question about mediation or the DSCV? Check here first.

Accredited mediator training course

August 7th, 2017

We run nationally accredited mediation training courses, providing professional qualifications for a career in the mediation profession.

legal advice is an important step in resolving a dispute

Obtaining legal advice