Summit Conflict Resolution
Family Dispute Resolution Brisbane

At Summit Conflict Resolution we offer Family Law Mediation services as a compassionate and cost effective means to help families navigate disputes, reducing financial pressures and emotional strains.

Summit Conflict Resolution is a specialist Family Dispute Resolution and mediation practice supporting families across Brisbane and South East Queensland, led by accredited mediator and solicitor Janelle Rollo. Our practice is dedicated to resolving family disputes through structured, child focused processes that prioritise clarity, safety, and long term stability.

Summit Conflict Resolution is built around neutral dispute resolution. This allows Brisbane families and legal representatives to engage in a calm, professionally managed environment designed to support durable agreements and reduce the emotional and financial strain associated with court proceedings.

If you are seeking detailed information about family mediation in Brisbane, visit our Family Mediation page.

About Summit Conflict Resolution

Summit Conflict Resolution is led by Janelle Rollo, an experienced solicitor, Independent Children’s Lawyer, and accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with nearly two decades of experience in family law.

Her professional background includes courtroom advocacy, advisory work, and representing children in complex parenting matters. That experience informs a steady, developmentally aware approach to mediation that is grounded in legal realism while remaining strictly neutral.

As a specialist practice operating at the intersection of family law and dispute resolution, Summit Conflict Resolution is frequently engaged by families and by practitioners seeking an experienced and balanced mediator who understands court expectations without participating in adversarial strategy.

Guiding you to peaceful, compassionate resolutions

Our Services

Summit Conflict Resolution provides structured dispute resolution services across Brisbane and supports families throughout Australia via secure online platforms.

Parenting
Arrangements

Support for resolving parenting arrangements, including living arrangements, time with each parent, communication, schooling decisions, relocation issues, and child support related discussions.

Section 60I
Certificates

Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner services, including intake assessment and the issuing of section 60I certificates where disputes do not resolve through mediation.

Property Settlement &
Finances

Facilitated negotiations addressing property division, superannuation, debts, and financial separation in a structured and professionally managed setting.

Summit Conflict Resolution Process

Every matter begins with a structured and carefully managed process designed to assess suitability, safety, and readiness for mediation. From intake through to resolution, the focus remains on clarity, neutrality, and outcomes that are workable in practice. The structure below reflects how each stage is approached to ensure families and referring practitioners have confidence in both the process and the result.

Janelle will speak with you individually to assess whether your matter is suitable for Family Dispute Resolution. This intake discussion allows you to outline the issues in dispute, raise any safety concerns, and clarify what you hope to achieve.

It also enables Janelle to screen for risk factors such as family violence, urgency, or power imbalance. The purpose of intake is to ensure mediation is appropriate and properly structured from the outset, with a clear agenda prepared for the mediation session.

Janelle conducts mediations in person in Brisbane or remotely via secure video conferencing where required. Most sessions are held using a shuttle format, meaning parties remain in separate rooms or online spaces to support calm communication and reduce pressure. Throughout the session, Janelle manages the discussion carefully, relays proposals between parties, and ensures each issue identified during intake is addressed methodically and fairly.

If agreement is reached through the Family Dispute Resolution process, Janelle will assist in documenting the terms clearly and accurately. Agreements may then be formalised by way of Consent Orders, a Parenting Plan, or a Binding Financial Agreement where appropriate. If full resolution is not achieved, partial agreements and narrowed issues are recorded to preserve momentum and reduce the scope of any future court involvement.

Why Mediate with Janelle

Empathy-Driven Conflict Resolution.

Janelle has 19 years experience as a Family Law Solicitor practicing in Australia, mainly Brisbane and South-East Queensland. Janelle is also an Independent Children’s Lawyer and as such, takes a very child-focused approach to FDR. Being a single mother to two teenage sons, Janelle has personal experience Parenthood.

Why Choose Us

Janelle Rollo brings nearly two decades of experience as a solicitor, accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, and Independent Children’s Lawyer. Her professional background includes courtroom advocacy, advising clients through complex parenting and property disputes, and representing children in high conflict matters. That experience informs a steady and developmentally aware approach to mediation grounded in legal realism. As a specialist mediation practice rather than a litigation firm that also mediates, Summit Conflict Resolution operates with strict neutrality. Janelle understands how courts assess agreements, how legal representatives prepare matters, and how disputes unfold over time. This insight allows discussions to remain practical, structured, and focused on durable outcomes.

Professional Accreditation and Memberships

Summit Conflict Resolution is led by Janelle Rollo, whose professional standing reflects a sustained commitment to ethical practice, neutrality, and excellence in family dispute resolution. Her qualifications and memberships reinforce her authority within the family law and mediation landscape in Brisbane and across Queensland.

Admitted Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland

Admitted Solicitor of the High Court of Australia

Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

Member of the Queensland Law Society

Member of the Family Law Practitioners Association

Former preferred supplier to Legal Aid Queensland

Appointed Independent Children’s Lawyer

These credentials, combined with ongoing professional development and extensive practical experience, provide families and referring practitioners with confidence that mediation is conducted with legal insight, professional integrity, and a steady focus on child centred outcomes.

FAQs about Mediation

Is Family Dispute Resolution legally binding?

Agreements reached through mediation are not automatically legally binding. Once agreement is reached, the terms can be formalised into Consent Orders or a Binding Financial Agreement with the assistance of a family lawyer. Once approved by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Consent Orders become legally enforceable and carry the same weight as court made orders.

How long does Mediation usually take?

Mediations are commonly conducted as half day or full day sessions, depending on the complexity of the issues. Parenting or property matters alone often begin with a half day, while combined matters may require a full day. Additional time can be added where parties are close to resolution.

Can I bring my lawyer to Mediation?

Yes. Parties are welcome to have their solicitor attend mediation if they choose. Lawyers often assist with advice during breaks and help ensure any agreements reached are properly understood and capable of being formalised.

What happens if mediation does not resolve all issues?

Partial resolution is common and still valuable. Any agreements reached are recorded, and unresolved issues are clearly identified. This often reduces the scope of future legal steps and provides a more focused framework if court proceedings become necessary.

Do I have to attend mediation before going to court?

In most parenting matters, the Family Law Act requires parties to attempt Family Dispute Resolution before filing an application in court. A section 60I certificate must accompany any application. There are exceptions for urgency, safety concerns, or certain domestic and family violence matters, which are assessed during intake.

Can mediation still work if there is high conflict?

Yes, when mediation is carefully structured. High conflict matters are commonly managed using separate sessions, controlled communication, and clear boundaries. Suitability is always assessed during intake to ensure the process is safe and appropriate, with adjustments made to support calm and productive discussions.

Will we be in the same room during mediation?

Most mediations are conducted using a shuttle format, where parties remain in separate rooms or separate online spaces. This approach reduces emotional pressure, supports clearer thinking, and allows parties to engage without managing reactions or body language from the other side.

Is mediation confidential?

Yes. Family law mediation is confidential. What is discussed during the process cannot be used as evidence in court, and offers made cannot be disclosed without written consent from all parties. This encourages open and honest discussions without fear of later repercussions.

What role does the mediator play?

The family law mediator remains neutral and does not take sides or provide legal advice. Their role is to manage the process, facilitate communication, test proposals, and help parties explore realistic options within a structured and safe environment.

How do I know if mediation is suitable for my situation?

Suitability is assessed during the intake process. This conversation allows concerns about safety, power imbalance, urgency, or complexity to be raised early so the most appropriate pathway can be identified before proceeding.

Contact Us

If you are considering mediation in Brisbane or seeking a professionally managed dispute resolution process supported by significant legal experience, Summit Conflict Resolution offers structured guidance with clarity and care.

Summit Conflict Resolution Family Dispute Resolution Brisbane