Consolidated practice directions

Proper preparation for conferences 
30. The Court expects the practitioner with the conduct of the case or 
properly briefed counsel to attend the mediation with the party. The 
practitioner's role at a mediation is not to act as an advocate but to 
support and advise the party. The practitioner or counsel should have 
discussed the following matters with the party well prior to the 
mediation: 
•
the mediation process; 
•
the prospects of succeeding in the action (or successfully defending 
it); 
•
the relative strengths of the other parties' cases; 
•
possible outcomes at trial, including best, moderate and worst case 
outcomes; 
•
the costs incurred up to the date of the mediation conference; 
•
the costs likely to be incurred in taking the matter to trial; 
•
the costs likely to be recovered if the party wins; 
•
the costs likely to be incurred if the party loses; 
•
the interests of the parties;
•
any particular outcomes which the party would like to achieve 
from the litigation; and 
•
possible solutions to the dispute, including outcomes which cannot 
be obtained following a trial. 
31. The value of disputed property is a key issue in many mediations, 
particularly in disputes as to the ownership of residential property.
Practitioners should consider whether valuation evidence may be 
required for the mediation and if so, obtain valuations, whether formal 
or informal, prior to the mediation. This may avoid an adjournment. 
32. Practitioners should also consider whether issues may arise in any 
possible settlement as to capital gains tax, income tax or GST and where 
possible, obtain advice prior to the mediation. 
Adjournments 
33. 
A party who seeks an adjournment should confer with the other side 
and then advise the mediator in writing. 

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4. General Division - Civil 
PD 4.2.1
 
Supreme Court of Western Australia 
Consolidated Practice Direction
34. The Court will only adjourn mediation conferences indefinitely in 
exceptional circumstances. Conferences that cannot be adjourned to a 
fixed date or to a date to be fixed will usually be terminated.