She also shares her top three predictions on what dispute resolution will look like down the line
Last week, Resolution Institute CEO Amber Williams told Australasian Lawyer how it felt to be leading the organisation into its 50th year in the legal industry. In the second part of this interview, she tells us how the Resolution Institute is approaching the next 50 years, and what the landscape of dispute resolution looks like in Australia and beyond.
How does the Resolution Institute plan to move forward into the next 50 years?
Essentially, we are focused on three pillars:
(1) deepening member value by expanding training, accreditation, and professional development opportunities to meet the current times evolving with the profession and the members we serve.
(2) broadening the reach of dispute resolution so it becomes the first port of call for conflict in every sector; and
(3) building partnerships while staying responsive to the unique needs of our communities in Australia and New Zealand. Our commitment is to remain the go to organisation for dispute resolvers in Australia and New Zealand whilst at the same time increasing the value we provide for our members.
What does the current landscape of dispute resolution in Australia and globally look like?
In Australia, dispute resolution is maturing and diversifying. Mediation, arbitration, adjudication, and expert determination are now embedded in contracts, legislation, and policy. It’s an exciting and dynamic time, dispute resolution has become a mainstream part of justice systems, business contracts, and community life.
Globally, we’re seeing stronger recognition of mediation and arbitration as cost-effective and trusted alternatives to litigation. There’s also an increasing expectation that dispute resolution bodies address systemic issues like access to justice, cultural inclusivity, and digital accessibility.
What are your top three predictions regarding the future of dispute resolution?
1. Digital integration – Online and hybrid processes are increasingly becoming the norm, not the exception, enhancing accessibility and efficiency. I imagine this will only continue and evolve with time.
2. Specialisation and recognition – We’ll see greater formalisation of specialist pathways, especially with the introduction of the recent AMDRAS framework, like family, elder, or restorative practices, ensuring practitioners are recognised for their specific expertise and have the appropriate skills and qualifications for the work they do.
3. Greater collaboration - We have an opportunity to work with other entities, countries and bodies with the goal to cooperate. If we can facilitate the harmonisation of standards, organisations like Resolution Institute can play an important role in shaping best practice not just regionally, but globally, whilst learning from our counterparts at the same time.
