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Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria - logo
  • About us  

    About us

    • Mediation

      Mediation

      Mediation is a free, voluntary and confidential process where parties try to resolve their issues with the help of a trained, impartial mediator.

    • Fast Track Mediation and Hearing Program

      Fast Track Mediation and Hearing Program

      DSCV and VCAT are operating in partnership to deliver alternative dispute resolution processes to all 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 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 dispute 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.

    I want to...

    • Learn about our mediator training courses
  • 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, dropped foliage and damage from tree roots can cause issues between neighbours. Find out what to do about it.

    • Starting the conversation

      Starting the conversation

      These tips may help you start the conversation off on the right foot when you are trying to resolve a dispute.

    • 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.

    • 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

    • 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 Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria has temporarily closed its phone line to provide a mediation service for residential tenancies disputes lodged with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) during increased demand for VCAT’s services.

You can still contact us using our online form and we will respond to your query. You can also find detailed advice about trees, noise and fences on this website.

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  • About us
    • Mediation
      • Mediation FAQs
    • Fast Track Mediation and Hearing Program
    • Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) program
    • Policies and complaints
      • Client services charter
      • Privacy policy
      • Complaints Policy
    • Contact us
    • How and when we can help
  • Information and advice
    • Fencing
      • Case Study - Fence dispute
      • Notice to fence
    • Trees
      • Tree FAQs
      • Case study - Tree dispute
    • Starting the conversation
    • Solving problems
    • Reaching an agreement
    • Obtaining legal advice
    • Retirement village disputes
  • Training
    • Community Engagement Workshops
    • Mediation training
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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander flagsThe department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.

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Reviewed 06/03/2023 © 2023 State of Victoria, Australia
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