Conciliation Services & Dispute Resolution
Resolving Disputes Through Agreement and Legal Compliance
Based in Brisbane and supporting organisations across Australia and New Zealand, Shiv Martin Consulting provides experienced conciliation mediation and bespoke conciliation training services, both in person and online.
Our conciliators create safe, structured spaces for parties to share perspectives, explore options and reach durable, procedurally fair outcomes.
Recognised as conciliation experts across Australia and New Zealand, Shiv Martin consulting offers:
1) Bespoke Training in Conciliation Process and Skills
2) Conciliation mediation as a panel member or contractor for organisations and businesses
Conciliation Mediation and Workplace Dispute Resolution Explained
Conciliation mediation is a structured, confidential process that supports people to resolve disputes with the guidance of an impartial conciliator. As a Brisbane workplace conciliator, Shiv Martin provides conciliation services that are grounded in fairness, clarity, and a deep understanding of regulatory and organisational contexts.
Conciliation dispute resolution is especially effective when communication has broken down, when expectations need realignment, or when a matter requires both practical solutions and procedural assurance.
Shiv combines her legal expertise with her experience in conflict resolution to help parties move from tension to clarity. She facilitates conversations that uncover underlying issues, explore options, and identify meaningful outcomes. Whether working with government agencies, regulatory bodies, businesses, or community organisations, Shiv designs each conciliation process around the parties’ needs, the relevant jurisdiction, and the desired path forward.
Through this tailored, impartial approach, conciliation becomes more than a conversation. It becomes a reliable method of dispute resolution that supports early settlement, strengthens relationships, and delivers sustainable solutions.
When Conciliation Is The Right Choice : Conciliation Dispute Resolution for Complex Matters
Conciliation is often the best pathway when parties want a confidential, collaborative process that sits between informal conversation and formal litigation. Consider conciliation dispute resolution when:
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You need a confidential process to preserve relationships and reputations.
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The dispute has a legal or regulatory dimension, but parties prefer to avoid court.
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You require a process that balances legal clarity with restorative conversation.
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Multiple stakeholders must be heard, and a managed dialogue will improve outcomes.
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You want an outcome that is pragmatic, timely and more likely to be implemented than a court order.
Conciliation is commonly used by government bodies, regulators and large organisations where conciliation services must align with complaint-handling obligations and procedural fairness.
Shiv Martin has worked with and continues to train a number of large government and regulatory agencies that use conciliation including the Fair Work Commission, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Human Rights Commission and Administrative Review Tribunal.
If you’re unsure whether conciliation, mediation or litigation suits your situation, Shiv can advise as a neutral Brisbane workplace conciliator and recommend the right next step, including mediation vs conciliation guidance.
What to look for when engaging Conciliation Services?
When selecting conciliation services, it is important to look for a practitioner who understands people, systems, and the law. Effective conciliation requires more than guiding a conversation. It calls for insight into human behaviour, organisational dynamics, governance structures, and the regulatory or statutory frameworks that shape decision-making. Strong conciliation dispute resolution balances psychological safety with legally sound outcomes.
Shiv Martin brings deep expertise across mediation, complaints handling, psychology, and law, strengthened by extensive experience in regulatory bodies and Ombudsman schemes. This interdisciplinary background allows her to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics while also recognising the procedural, statutory, and systemic factors driving conflict. Her approach ensures that conciliation mediation addresses both the human issues and the structural realities surrounding a dispute.
Free Resource: An Introduction to Conciliation
Our free short, easy-to-read ebook explains what conciliation is, when to use it, and why it helps people reach outcomes that feel fair and workable.
It’s written for busy practitioners who want clarity, confidence, and a simple starting point.
Download your free copy of Introduction to Conciliation and feel more prepared for the conversations ahead.
The Conciliation Dispute Resolution Process: Step-By-Step Conciliation Mediation Pathway
Here’s how our conciliation dispute resolution process typically unfolds, and the role a conciliator plays at each stage. Throughout the process, the conciliator remains neutral, supports voluntary participation, and emphasises confidentiality, unless legal or safety obligations require disclosure.
1
Enquiry & Suitability Assessment
An initial confidential conversation to understand the issue, the parties involved, and whether conciliation mediation is appropriate. We verify safety and any applicable regulatory requirements.
2
Preparation & Intake
Parties receive information about the process, confidentiality, and the voluntary nature of conciliation. The conciliator arranges pre-conference meetings and collects relevant documents.
3
Opening Conference
A joint session where the conciliator introduces the process, sets ground rules, and invites opening statements. The conciliator frames the scope of discussion and confirms voluntary participation.
4
Exploration & Information Sharing
The conciliator uses active listening and targeted questions to surface perspectives, clarify interests and identify common ground. Legal or policy considerations are explained where needed.
5
Private Sessions (Caucuses)
Confidential one-on-one check-ins allow each party to discuss sensitive matters, consider options and receive reality-testing from the conciliator.
6
Negotiation & Option Generation
The conciliator facilitates bargaining, tests proposed solutions, and helps parties craft practical, enforceable agreements.
7
Agreement & Documentation
Agreements are recorded and, where appropriate, formalised into a written settlement or action plan. The conciliator can outline follow-up steps and any monitoring arrangements.
8
Follow-Up & Implementation Support
Where needed, Shiv provides post-conciliation coaching and referrals, or assistance with implementing systemic changes through dispute resolution consulting.
Confidentiality, Voluntary Nature and Legal Context
Conciliation is voluntary and confidential. Parties choose to participate and can withdraw if conciliation is not meeting their needs. Shiv explains any limits to confidentiality in the initial discussion, particularly where mandatory reporting or legal duties apply. Where appropriate, conciliation can sit alongside formal complaint pathways or commercial mediation services, providing a flexible and context-sensitive way to reach resolution.
Why Storytelling Strengthens Conciliation Mediation: The Human Element in Dispute Resolution Services
Shiv uses storytelling and narrative techniques to help parties articulate their experiences in ways that foster empathy and clarity. Storytelling makes complex issues memorable, builds emotional connection, and often opens paths to creative, pragmatic agreements. This method complements legal analysis and procedural rigour, enabling outcomes that are both fair and implementable.
By facilitating the sharing of stories among parties in dispute, it’s possible to achieve several goals:
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Make messages memorable and captivating
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Forging emotional connections
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Simplify complex ideas
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Foster relatability and trust
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Illustrate values, and inspire action
Stories ultimately facilitate understanding and persuasion, paving the way for meaningful resolution.
Our Conciliation Experts
Supported by a panel of expert conciliators delivering conciliation mediation, conciliation services, and tailored conciliation dispute resolution across Brisbane and Australia
Justin Toohey
Mediator | Lawyer | ADR Specialist | Tribunal Member
Justin helps organisations and communities resolve complex disputes, strengthen governance and trust, and build long-term conflict management capability.
Leanne Levinge
Narrative Therapist | Counsellor | Coach
Experienced narrative therapist, counsellor, and coach who supports individuals, families, and organisations through healing conversations, culturally safe programs, and community dialogue that bridges perspectives.
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John Southalan
Mediator | Lawyer | Academic
John is an experienced dispute resolution professional and barrister who works across Australia and internationally, specialising in business–community disputes, responsible business conduct, and commercial mediation, supported by academic expertise in mining regulation and human rights.
Ready to Discuss Conciliation Facilitation?
If your organisation is facing a sensitive complaint, regulatory matter or multi-party dispute, talk with Shiv about tailored conciliation facilitation and consultative options. She can advise on whether conciliation mediation, mediation, or a combined dispute resolution consulting approach best suits your needs, and help design a process that protects people and meets compliance expectations.
Book a confidential consultation with Shiv Martin, your Conciliation Services and Training Expert.
Call or Text 0433904303
Email contact@shivmartin.com
Trusted by Teams Across Australia with Conciliation Services
Shiv provides tailored conciliation services to training staff of government agencies, Ombudsman offices, commissions, regulatory bodies, health services, community organisations and the banking sector. Typical matters include workplace discrimination, regulatory complaints, inter-agency disputes and multi-stakeholder community conflicts where a Brisbane workplace conciliator can help navigate legal and emotional complexity.
Learn more about our work.
We work with government agencies, large and small businesses and ensure that our policies, procedures and systems comply with the highest legal standards.
Read more about our client experiences, case studies of our work, and our corporate policies below!
Frequently Asked Questions – With Shiv Martin
Shiv Martin's Blog
Our Director and lead Mediator, Shiv Martin, shares her insights and learnings in her weekly blog.
Read on to learn more about conciliation, conflict resolution and build your emotional intelligence skills.
