The independent review of the Australian National Mediator Accreditation Standards (NMAS Review 2020–22) conluded in July 2022. Since that time, the Mediator Standards Board (MSB) has considered the recommendations carefully and is in the process of drafting new standards anticipated to be released later this year.

While we await this exciting reveal, the MSB ‘has decided to release the final report’ and ‘its associated materials’ submitted by the reviewers ‘including the Draft Code and proposed modifications to the NMAS, on the NMAS Review Hub‘.

As it released the documents, the Board explained:

• ‘Although the Board chose to redraft the NMAS rather than establish a Code administered by a Code Administration Committee, the proposed new standards draw strongly from the review findings
• ‘The review findings were based on comprehensive research and consultation with our members, and across the mediation and dispute resolution community
• ‘Resolution Resources‘ vital work has informed the proposed new standards, including in delivering: greater clarity and focus in training methods and practice; multiple levels of accreditation; scope for the introduction of specialisations; considerable improvements in complaints handling and disciplinary processes, with greater involvement of the MSB in those areas; and an overall lifting of training and accreditation standards.’

We, the reviewers, are excited to share the output from the NMAS Review 2020-22 with you. We trust that the dispute resolution community will see evidence of its generous and rigorous participation in the findings, recommendations and the commentary throughout the Draft Code.

Danielle Hutchinson and Emma-May Litchfield