It has been an exciting first half of the year, and the ADC team is in full swing with training, events and multiple CPD opportunities through to December and beyond.

One of the highlights for me in recent months was the opportunity to attend the IAM Conference on the Gold Coast and speak in a debate about AI and the nuances of ADR as the industry adapts with evolving technology. The progression of science and how it integrates into daily life and practice is an exciting prospect. However, we the negative team deftly highlighted the importance of relationship building and human skills by ADR practitioners to navigate distinctly complex interpersonal dynamics in disputes, and won the day! My thanks to Doug Murphy SC and IAM for hosting this wonderful conference and to fellow debate teammates Tim Connard, VIC Bar and The Hon. Martin Daubney AM, KC, QLD Bar.

Speaking of navigating disputes, we are thrilled to announce the ADC-ICC Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition (APCMC) is on 29 - 31 August 2025. APCMC is an exciting opportunity for students, but also for ADR professionals. The competition would not be possible without the expertise of mediators and judges to facilitate multiple rounds for more than 30 teams. APCMC 2025 still needs more help. I encourage you to consider this opportunity and sign up with the link below to lend your support to the students, and enjoy the exclusive networking and CPD program for professionals.

Also in August we are honoured to collaborate with Chief Justice Michael Grant in inviting leading ADR practitioner, Dr Cameron Ford OAM SC, to deliver the annual ADR Address of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.

In October, another exciting CPD opportunity is ADC's panel for Australian Arbitration Week 2025, when we explore the influence and opportunities for ADR on the Australia and Latin America trade relationship.

On the horizon, please ‘Save the Date’ for 26 and 27 March 2026 in Sydney. Send us an Expression of Interest (linked below) and be among the first to hear details of ADC’s 40th Anniversary celebrations and the 10th annual Australian ADR Awards.

The recent ADR Awards International Conference was a tremendous success, and we were privileged to have some 30 senior ADR practitioners and industry experts speaking. Anchoring the conference was The Hon. James Allsop AC, and we are thrilled to share his Keynote Address with ADC Bulletin readers. Also in this Bulletin, ADC intern, Xinyu Li, gives us an insight into the key elements of China’s recent ADR innovation.

If you are considering mediator accreditation, or other professional development for you or your team, please secure your place in our courses for this new financial year. ADC’s brilliant Conflict Capability Masterclass is online on 31 July – 1 August and while our July mediation training is all but full, there are still places available for August and later months. Details for all programs are linked in this Bulletin. Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.

Excitement is also building for the National Mediation Conference in September and Australian Arbitration Week in October. These are a not-to-be missed opportunities for all mediators and arbitrators and ADC is proud to support these events. See full details linked below.  

Thank you as always for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at industry events, including ADC’s upcoming courses, seminars and conference!

Warm Regards,

Deborah

In a climate of increasing conflict and uncertainty it has never been more important to have trained and skilled staff who can engage in complex discussions, de-escalate conflict, and support dispute resolution processes. We are thrilled to have civic leader, consultant and mediator, Maree Davenport, join us as a special guest for this program.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn from ADC's leading conflict capabilities training faculty.

We are privileged to have leading international arbitrator, mediator and counsel, Dr Cameron Ford OAM SC, delivering this year’s ADR Address of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.

The Supreme Court ADR Address Series is a Thought Leadership initiative that celebrates and explores ADR innovation and impact across Australia. ADC is thrilled to collaborate with Chief Justice Grant to bring you this broad-church event - welcoming judiciary, legal professionals, academics, government officials and students to the Supreme Court.

Details and registration

ADC is excited to contribute to Australian Arbitration Week 2025 with a vital discussion on the evolving landscape of the Australian – Latin American trade relationship and the impact of ADR processes in helping business partners adapt to the increasing complexities of global trade. With experts from both sides of the Pacific contributing to the conversation, this is a not-to-be-missed event being held at ADC’s sensational offices on Macquarie St, Sydney and via international simulcast.

Register Here »

Be among the first to receive details of ADC’s leading international Masterclass and advanced mediator accreditation.

Take your skills to the next level, under the guidance of ADC’s eminent faculty comprised of leading ADR practitioners. Enrich your practice with this deep dive into advanced skills and learn to navigate an increasingly complex landscape in commercial dispute resolution.

We invite lawyers, dispute resolution practitioners and business leaders to volunteer as mediators, judges, and coaches in support of the next generation of ADR leaders. The APCMC is an inspiring event, bringing together students, professionals, and academics from across the globe. In a 2025 initiative, we are creating more opportunity for our mediators and judges to network and earn additional professional development points. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to support student learning while broadening your network. Learn more and sign up today to be part of this prestigious competition!

Register to help today and join us online this August!

“The expertise and knowledge brought by [the trainers] was at a level far exceeding any training I have attended in my higher study and professional life. Extremely insightful and full tips and smarts for practical use. More than all of this the genuine passion for the subject and the genuine love for imparting their knowledge was extraordinary.” – Ravine, May 2025

We are delighted to share The Hon. James Allsop’s insightful keynote address on recent developments in maritime law where he reflects on the juxtaposition of terrene concepts upon maritime issues; in doing so, he provokes fascinating insights on the abstraction of modern dispute resolution as it continues to evolve in Australian law.

Download the full address here »

China’s establishment of a new international mediation organisation presents a new opportunity to advance co-operative dispute resolution with a focus on the Global South. This initiative in international ADR seeks to bridge geopolitical inequalities through a structure that maximises global co-operation and efficiency. ADC Intern and Melbourne University JD student, Xinyu Li, provides an overview of the initiative.

Read the full article here »

The ADC Book Club features a reading list designed to deepen your dispute resolution knowledge and expertise. Stay current, add CPD points for your AMDRAS Accreditation and expand your professional connections in a relaxed online setting (from wherever you are!).

ADC Book Club is curated by ADC’s stellar training faculty and meets regularly.

What our Book Clubbers are saying:

It is great interacting with my peers. Great conversations are generated around the reading material we review but the real gems lie in expanded discussions around how the text can be incorporated into our practices. Phillip Dibben

Join the Conversation HERE!