A Lawyer and a Mediator Walk into a Bar

About A Lawyer and a Mediator Walk into a Bar

What happens when a Lawyer and a Family Mediator walk into a bar? Practical, actionable guidance on Australian Family Law, Mediation, and Family Dispute Resolution (FDR). Join us for straightforward breakdowns of separation, children's matters, property settlement, family violence, and full disclosure. Whether you need clarity on pet custody or navigating a Family Violence Order (FVO), we break down the legal system into plain English. Contact Dianne Loveday at Bayside Mediation | www.baysidemediation.com.au Contact Paula Appelhans at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-appelhans/ Disclaimer & Note from the Hosts: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. The views, stories, and insights expressed in this episode reflect the personal professional experiences and observations of Paula Applehans (Family Lawyer) and Diane Loveday (Mediator) working within the Australian legal and mediation spaces. Every family law matter is unique; please consult Paul or Dianne for advice specific to your personal situation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Dianne Loveday & Paula Appelhans

Category

government · society & culture · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Aug 2024

Latest episode

24 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

39 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Demystifying Intervention Orders (IVOs)

   In this milestone episode, we celebrate reaching 10,000 downloads! To mark the occasion, family lawyer Paula Applehans and principal mediator Diane Lovejoy dive deep into the legal and practical realities of intervention orders (IVOs) and family violence. Stripping away the legal jargon (with a few laughs along the way), Paula and Diane break down what IVOs actually mean, the application process, and why they are not a "silver bullet" or a weapon to be weaponised. Key Topics Covered: What is an IVO?: Understanding intervention orders under the Family Violence Protection Act, how they are enforceable across Australian states, and why they must be taken seriously. The Reality of Family Violence: Recognising that family violence isn't always physical, it encompasses emotional abuse, financial abuse, coercion, and duress. The Court Process: Demystifying mention hearings, interim orders, and the short timeframes involved in court appearances. Child-Inclusive Practice: How children are impacted, the importance of keeping them safe, and how family dispute resolution handles care arrangements. Mediation vs. Litigation: Exploring when and how mediation can still occur under an IVO, the power of undertakings, and when court intervention becomes necessary. Need Support? If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, support is available: Emergency: Call 000 if you are in immediate danger. 1800 RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 for confidential information, counseling, and support (24/7). Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 for crisis support and suicide prevention services (24/7). MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78 for men supporting family and relationship concerns. Disclaimer & Note from the Hosts: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. The views, stories, and insights expressed in this episode reflect the personal professional experiences and observations of Paula Applehans (Family Lawyer) and Diane Loveday (Mediator) working within the Australian legal and mediation spaces. Every family law matter is unique; please consult Paul or Dianne for advice specific to your personal situation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   18 Aug 2026

   What Happens to Pets in Separation? | Family Law Update

   Who gets the dog when a relationship ends? It’s one of the most emotional and increasingly common sticking points in modern separation. In this episode, Diane and Paula explore how recent shifts in family law legislation are changing the way companion animals are treated during separation. Moving away from viewing pets purely as "property" or "assets," the law and mediation processes are increasingly recognising the intrinsic emotional value of family pets and their psychological well-being. Whether you're negotiating a shared care arrangement for your dog, drafting a Binding Financial Agreement (BFA), or considering pet custody in your Will, this episode covers the practical and emotional realities of pet ownership after a breakup. If you found this episode helpful, please hit Follow, leave us a review, and share it with anyone currently navigating a separation. Disclaimer & Note from the Hosts: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. The views, stories, and insights expressed in this episode reflect the personal professional experiences and observations of Paula Applehans (Family Lawyer) and Diane Loveday (Mediator) working within the Australian legal and mediation spaces. Every family law matter is unique; please consult Paul or Dianne for advice specific to your personal situation. Connect With Us Dianne Loveday at Bayside Mediation | www.baysidemediation.com.au Paula Appelhans at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-appelhans/ Support Services and Resources If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, or if this episode brought up difficult emotions, help is available. Please reach out to the following Australian services: 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 (24/7 national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information, and support service). Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention). MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78 (24/7 telephone and online support and referral service for men). Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 (Free, private, and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25). Relationships Australia: Call 1300 364 277 (Support groups and counselling for relationships). If you are in immediate danger, please call 000. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   4 Aug 2026

   Navigating Family Violence & Evidence Under the New Family Law Act

   Welcome back! In our Season 5 opener, Diane welcomes Paula back to Melbourne after her year-long sabbatical in Tonga, where she worked to expand legal services for women and children. In this episode, Diane and Paula dive deep into recent major changes to the Family Law Act regarding Family Violence and what those changes mean in practice for anyone navigating separation. Together, they break down the critical differences between how family violence is approached in a goodwill mediation space versus an evidence-based litigation space. Whether you are trying to understand what actually constitutes "admissible evidence" or how coercive control impacts parenting arrangements, this episode offers clear, straight-talking guidance without the legalese. If you found this episode helpful, please hit Follow, leave us a review, and share it with anyone currently navigating a separation. Disclaimer & Note from the Hosts: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. The views, stories, and insights expressed in this episode reflect the personal professional experiences and observations of Paula Applehans (Family Lawyer) and Diane Loveday (Mediator) working within the Australian legal and mediation spaces. Every family law matter is unique; please consult Paul or Dianne for advice specific to your personal situation. Connect With Us Dianne Loveday at Bayside Mediation | www.baysidemediation.com.au Paula Appelhans at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-appelhans/ Support Services and Resources If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, or if this episode brought up difficult emotions, help is available. Please reach out to the following Australian services: 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 (24/7 national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information, and support service). Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention). MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78 (24/7 telephone and online support and referral service for men). Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 (Free, private, and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25). Relationships Australia: Call 1300 364 277 (Support groups and counselling for relationships). If you are in immediate danger, please call 000. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.4 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

19

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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