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Rural Dispute Settlement Centre
About the Rural Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC)
The Rural Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) helps people living in rural and regional areas to deal with disputes. Through the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV), it provides mediation and dispute advisory services to people living in rural and regional areas.
Services provided
Anyone can call the RDSC service from anywhere in Victoria, toll free, during business hours. The RDSC can provide dispute advice and organise mediations over the phone or by letter when contact with the other party is first established. You don't need to fill out an application form or pay any fees. Mediation sessions are held in your local area, and mediators can travel to where you are. Mediation can be held after hours and on weekends.
RDSC services are free, including:
- the Dispute Resolution Advisory Service
- mediation rooms
- interpreters.
Confidentiality
The RDSC service is confidential. The Evidence Act 1958 states: 'Evidence of anything said or of any admission or agreement made at, or of any document prepared for the purpose of, a conference with a mediator in connection with a dispute settlement centre is not admissible in any Court or legal proceeding, except with the consent of all persons who were present at that conference'.
People who attended a mediation can still tell other people or their families what happened. However, because the discussions are in 'good faith', everyone should respect the confidentiality of the session. The RDSC can disclose information where it's reasonably considered necessary to prevent injury or damage to any person or property.
Note: This information is an extract and interpretation of sections 21L and 21M of the Evidence Act 1958. For a complete copy of this section please refer to the Act itself.
Culturally and linguistically diverse clients (CALD)
People from non-English speaking backgrounds can call the RDSC using the Telephone Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50. The RDSC pays for calls to the centre through the TIS.
Legal interpreters are provided free of charge at the mediation session and the cultural needs of people are taken into account when selecting mediators for a particular session. Brochures and information sheets are available in 21 different community languages.
Contacts
Rural Dispute Settlement Centre
GPO BOX 4113
4/456 Lonsdale St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 03 9603 8370
Tel: 1800 658 528 (free call, STD areas only)
9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
Email: dscv@justice.vic.gov.au