Consolidated practice directions

Privilege and Confidentiality 
6. 
Mediation conferences are conducted pursuant to SCA pt VI. Section 71 
of the SCA sets out the privilege attaching to mediations. Section 72 of 
the SCA sets out the obligation of confidentiality that binds the mediator. 
Expert mediations 
7. 
In appropriate circumstances the Court will order mediation between 
experts with a view to narrowing any points of difference between them 
and identifying any remaining points of difference - see O 4A r 2(2)(k). 
Timing 
8. 
Practitioners should discuss mediation with their client at the 
commencement of the case and consider whether it should be mediated 
early. Practitioners will be asked about the suitability of a case for 
mediation on a regular basis and must be instructed on the point. They 
must be able to justify a refusal to go to mediation, particularly where 
the matter is yet to be mediated or, in a case that has previously been 
mediated, the other side is willing to return to mediation. Practitioners 
should bear in mind that, in general, no case will be listed for trial 
without the mediation process having first been exhausted. 
9. 
The timing of mediation is important and will vary from case to case.
Many cases benefit from early mediation prior to substantial costs being 
incurred and the parties becoming entrenched in their positions. The 
Court will make mediation orders prior to the filing of pleadings or 
affidavits in appropriate cases. It is open to the parties to file a consent 
order listing the case for mediation prior to the first case management 
conference. 
Information for parties 
10. The Court has produced a brochure 'Mediation - What you need to 
know'. The Court may direct practitioners to provide a copy of the 
brochure to their client at the commencement of an action and following 
the making of mediation orders. Copies of the brochure are available 
from the Court free of charge. 

---

4. General Division - Civil 
PD 4.2.1
 
Supreme Court of Western Australia 
Consolidated Practice Direction