Meet Anita from the Neighborhood Justice Centre, she very kindly gave up some of her time to tell us a little bit about what she is involved in.

Name:

Anita De Blasio

Agency:

Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria at the Neighbourhood Justice Centre

Role/ Position:

Mediation Co-ordinator and Mediator

Length of time in the position:

Five years

 What does a typical day for you look like:

The timetable is certainly not fixed. It is always changing to react to the needs and interests of locals who might phone, pop in, or come across the service from an agency referral. If a mediation at the NJC is running, it is usual to see me running between floors to ensure the parties are being accommodated, while keeping in mind the needs of other clients, including those appearing in the court for civil claims. 

What services do you/ your organization/ agency provide:

 A confidential dispute resolution service for residents in the City of Yarra and clients of the NJC court. Mediation is an informal and practical problem-solving process whereby parties who are in dispute meet together with skilled mediators.

The issues in dispute are streamlined, options are identified, solutions considered and work is done towards achieving an acceptable agreement. It is a free service, which can be arranged quickly and without stress while taking place at anytime during a dispute, even when legal action has been commenced.

Do you need a referral to use your service?:

No. Simply phone the NJC and discuss the problem with me or with my assistant, Mark Cerne. Residents are welcome to visit at anytime to talk about a problem.

 What are your opening hours:

We are based at the NJC on Monday to Friday, from 9 to 5pm. Mediators are available for helping clients in negotiating settlements of civil cases at the Magistrates' Court and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Is child care available?:

Yes.

Could you help with me with an interpreter?:

Yes, we can arrange the use of an interpreter.

How do I contact you/ your agency?:

 Please contact Anita at the NJC on 9948 8628.

Visit our website for more information: www.neighbourhoodjustice.vic.gov.au