The Mediation Adviser will appoint the mediator from its national panel of mediators. Both parties must attend the mediation and try to resolve the dispute. The parties share the cost of the mediation unless they agree otherwise. The parties pay their own costs to attend the mediation. The Mediator will help the parties to discuss some of the options available to resolve their dispute.
Mediation is an informal process where the parties can openly discuss their concerns and needs.
If you cannot resolve a dispute with a franchisee or franchisor you can ask the Office of the Mediation Adviser to appoint a mediator to assist you to resolve the dispute. Before the Office of the Mediation Adviser can appoint a mediator you must have completed the steps 1 to 3 below. See the Notice of Dispute form below. If your franchise agreement has a dispute resolution procedure you must follow the steps provided before the Office of the Mediation Adviser can appoint a mediator unless you and the other party agree otherwise. If you have attempted to resolve the dispute and 3 weeks has elapsed since you commenced the steps provided under the agreement you may proceed to step 4.