Family for us is everything. Without family, we would be lost.
But as a team, we have gone through a number of challenges, hurdles and struggles in having our unique approach to family recognised and respected. Throughout our decades of experience, our team’s passion, drive and motivation to strengthen families has been met with resistance in the public sphere as well as amongst professionals.
But with tenacity, perseverance, and ambition to go against the grain, we have all been able to, collectively, create something even stronger – a collective hub of experienced Alternative Dispute Resolution Professionals advocating for resolution to be reached outside of Court. And that’s why our team has created the Peacemakers Awards.
So that you are rewarded for your collaborative contributions to your industry in an effort to change the narrative of what has, in the past, traditionally restricted you in your professional capabilities.
The Peacemakers Awards has been crafted by an Executive Committee and Judging Panel who collectively bring along with them over 170 years of vocalising the need for change.
Throughout our Executive Committee’s experience in resolving disputes, we have come to understand that peace is not just beneficial – it is imperative.
It is essential to build, strengthen and restore relationships whether personal or professional.
We all value the importance of peace in minimising conflict or disruption that seeks to negatively impact on one’s life and we actively encourage those, just like yourself, who are loud and proud about utilising a collaborative approach to facilitate same.
So what are you waiting for?
Join the movement.
Sincerely,
Cassandra Kalpaxis
Overview
Accounting, Finance and Property are all sectors which have evolved in similar ways to that of the legal industry.
Accountants, Finance Experts and Coaches, Real Estate Agents and Property Advisors all play a crucial and important role in the resolution of one’s dispute. At DRCA, we are proud to house a number of these as part of our Collaborative Collective.
Whether it’s advising on what to do with an inheritance, drafting an Expert Report to be used in a Family Law Dispute, or simply to get your finances in check, a collaborative and holistic approach to disputes ensures that the role that these experts play is recognised, valued and utilised in the best way possible.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has worked in the Accounting, Finance or Property sector in FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Overview
Wellness is a term that has achieved mass cultural significance, especially given the recent COVID-19 situation. A dispute can bring along with it stress, uncertainty and anxiety for the future.
It is important that one is mindful throughout every step of their dispute resolution journey and accesses external support to cope during this time.
Many workplace cultures now have a “Wellness Officer” or a Wellness Initiative or Project to stimulate employee empowerment and as a result, increased productivity and workplace satisfaction.
This award celebrates and rewards those who are championing a change of dialogue in this respect and are actively making steps to ensure that wellness is a priority with their staff and through every facet of their work.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has worked in the Wellness sector, or contributed to improving wellness in their workplace, during FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Personal Injury Peacemaker of the Year
Overview
Personal Injury matters can encompass a wide range of issues including motor vehicle accident claims, Total and Permanent Disability claims, public liability claims and so forth. The common thread with all of these examples is that someone is suffering a loss and wishes to make a claim to move forward with their life.
An individualised, tailor-made approach is pivotal to facilitating peace when resolving a Personal Injury claim.
This award recognises outstanding performance by lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals, law firms and other individuals, organisations or businesses that operate in the Personal Injury Law space who are passionate about facilitating peace through every facet of their work.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has worked in the Personal Injury Law space in FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Barrister of the Year
Overview
Barristers are one of the most prestigious types of legal professionals. Their collaborative efforts with a Solicitor to advocate for their clients is to be commended. The notion of what a Barrister is has also experienced somewhat of a shift over time, especially given the increased favourability of clients to resolve their disputes outside of Court. This does not mean that Barristers become “non-essential” but rather, their unique skillset in being able to provide advice can assist in the timely and cost-efficient resolution of a client’s matter via Mediation, Arbitration or other means.
Eligibility
This awards category is open to any Australian Barrister-at-Law that has displayed exceptional work in the FY 20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you a Barrister-at-Law? We encourage you to enter this category!
Wills & Estates Disputes can be emotionally-charged and overwhelming, so much so, that they can completely destroy a family. This is all added to the stress, grief and uncertainty around losing a loved one. There is greater push in our society to have bitter estate disputes resolved outside of Court. Thankfully, there are a number of Collaborative Wills & Estates Lawyer, Mediators and Coaches who are all working together to ensure that an estate dispute is resolved through a tailor-made approach that facilitates peace, cooperation and respect.
This award recognises outstanding performance by lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals, law firms and other individuals, organisations or businesses that operate in the Wills & Estates Law space who are passionate about facilitating peace through every facet of their work.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has worked in the Wills & Estates Law space in FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
International Peacemaker of the Year
Overview
Peacemakers are not just in Australia. The #PeacemakersMovement is a global movement to inspire others all across the world to utilise a collaborative approach in their work. We have opened this category to recognise and celebrate those all over the world who have the same passion, drive and motivation that we do in doing things differently.
Eligibility
Must be located in a place outside of Australia, and must be able to show how they have facilitated worldwide in transactions in their domestic country or internationally during FY20-21.
This category is open to groups and individuals.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Do you reside in any of the following countries outside of Australia? Enter now!
Diversity Peacemaker of the Year
Overview
Diversity and inclusion is crucial in implementing a collaborative approach in providing professional services. It is important to recognise that everyone’s journey whether it is going through a dispute, in their personal growth and development or professional career, that there are unique circumstances and experiences that influence the progression of same.
This award celebrates and rewards those who are championing policies and practices of inclusion and diversity.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has positively championed inclusion and diversity during FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Health Peacemaker of the Year
Overview
Health is a word that has a unique definition for everybody. Health can encompass physical, social, emotional, psychological, mental and so on.
What is your definition of healthy?
How are you helping to instil this in others?
This award recognises outstanding performance by practitioners, specialists, coaches, organisations or businesses that operate in the Health sector who are passionate about facilitating peace through every facet of their work.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has worked in the Health sector in FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Overview
There’s never been a time greater than now to exhibit innovative professional practice. Innovation is essential in standing out from the crowd and providing a service in a way that is not only different but cost-effective and time-efficient.
The Innovative Peacemaker of the Year award recognises an individual, group, organisation or business who has been able to successfully create an innovative product, service or project to assist in meeting professional and customer service objectives.
Eligibility
This category is open to any professional in any industry that has implemented innovative practices to facilitate peace and change.
To be eligible for this award, the individual or organisation is required to demonstrate innovative work during FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
If you answered yes to the above, enter now!
Commercial Peacemaker of the Year
Commercial Disputes can typically be lengthy, costly and emotionally draining. Many find themselves feeling overwhelmed, anxious and wishing that they could simply opt out of the process and move on with their life.
A collaborative approach with Alternative Dispute Resolution methods empowers the parties in a commercial dispute to reach a resolution amongst themselves without any court intervention.
This award recognises outstanding performance by lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals, law firms and other individuals, organisations or businesses that operate in the Commercial Law space who are passionate about facilitating peace through every facet of their work.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has worked in the Family Law space in FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Employment Peacemaker of the Year
Employment disputes go towards the relationship between yourself and your employees or employer. It’s important to resolve issues in the workplace as for many, this is where you spend most of your day. Employment law matters and disputes may encompass issues such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, workplace bullying, pay disputes and contract disputes.
This award recognises outstanding performance by lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals, law firms and other individuals, organisations or businesses that operate in the Employment Law space who are passionate about facilitating peace through every facet of their work.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has worked in the Family Law space in FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Family Law Peacemaker of the Year
Overview
Separation, divorce and family law can be riddled with conflict, confusion and anxiety. For many years, the narrative of separation has been acrimonious rather than amicable.
Thankfully, Alternative Dispute Resolution pathways to separation are now on the rise with many practitioners utilising a collaborative approach with one another in an effort to perpetuate a change in the narrative towards separation and divorce.
This award recognises outstanding performance by lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals, law firms and other individuals, organisations or businesses that operate in the Family Law space who are passionate about facilitating peace through every facet of their work.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual, firm or organisation that has worked in the Family Law space in FY20-21.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Young Peacemaker of the Year
Overview
The first few years of a young person in professional practice is crucial to their future success. Young Peacemakers bring along with them fresh ideas, strategies and perspectives that mentors, supervisors, Principals and other businesses can learn greatly from. This award recognises outstanding performance for a young individual who has recently started out in their professional industry, but displays an attitude and objective for their career to be distinctive and against the traditional narrative.
Eligibility
This award is open to any individual aged between 20 and 30 years old working in professional practice, regardless of the industry. The individual must be within the first three (3) years of practice.
The individual is required to demonstrate work completed in Australia during the FY20-21 in accordance with the assessment criteria below.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following and are 20 to 30 years old, in the first 3 years of practice? We encourage you to enter this category!
DRCA Peacemaker of the Year
Overview
Our team at Dispute Resolution Centre Australia is comprised of professionals who are leaders in their chosen field and share the same vision of solving disputes amicably, efficiently and in a cost-effective manner.
Here at the Dispute Resolution Centre Australia, we have created an exclusive network of professionals who have the knowledge, experience and passion in ensuring that each step of your dispute is managed in accordance with your unique set of circumstances.
This category rewards those who are members of the Hub at Dispute Resolution Centre Australia.
Eligibility
This award category is open to any members of DRCA. If you are not yet a member and would like to join our Collaborative Collective and enter into this category, please shoot us an email at [email protected]
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to enter this category!
Overview
Mediators comprise a large amount of the DRCA Team. First and foremost, DRCA was created as a team of Mediators who were passionate about resolving disputes outside of Court. Each Mediator that is a part of DRCA utilises a unique approach and has specialty and passion for particular practices, areas of dispute and modes of Mediation. Our Mediators understand that a dispute can have numerous peripheral issues under the surface. Our Mediators acknowledge that a dispute is almost always best resolved through a collaborative approach, allowing everyone involved to move forward with a solution tenable for the future.
Eligibility
This category is open to any Individual that:
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you an Australian Mediator that fits the above? Enter this category!
Overview
The People’s Choice of the Year Award goes back to what our values are at Dispute Resolution Centre Australia. We believe in working alongside our colleagues and other professionals that are able to provide valuable input in the resolution of one’s dispute through a collaborative approach.
For us, sharing the word about doing things differently is pivotal to helping support our colleagues and elevate their career to the next level.
That’s why we created the #peacemakersmovement to encourage all our colleagues to join the movement and spread the word about the benefits of utilising an approach outside of the norm.
Eligibility & Assessment Criteria
Finalists for this category are derived from finalists of other categories of these awards who receive the most likes obtained on a social media post (Instagram, Linkedin or Facebook) with the following conditions:
Are you any of the following? We encourage you to do whatever you can to become a Finalist in the other categories to increase your chances of winning!
Overview
The Dealmaker of the Year Award is one of the main awards that celebrates those who have not only created change in their industry or practice space but has also been able to boost their firm’s fortunes and growth.
Eligibility
Finalists for this award are derived from winners of other categories at the Peacemakers Awards that are groups, firms, businesses or organisations.
What this means is that if you win any of the other categories, and are a group, you automatically enter into this category!
Assessment criteria
Judgment as to the winner of this category will be based on responses contained in the finalists’ submissions in other categories that they have entered in, particularly submissions based on profitability, growth, change and exceptional customer service being provided.
Are you any of the following? Make reference to these in your submissions to increase your likelihood of winning this category!
Overview
The Peacemaker of the Year Award is one of the main awards. This Award celebrates individuals who have not only assisted in creating change in their industry or practice space but has also been able to achieve exceptional career development and growth as a result of their collaborative and holistic approach.
Eligibility
Finalists for this award are derived from winners of other categories at the Peacemakers Awards that are individuals.
What this means is that if you win any of the other categories, and are entering as an individual, you automatically enter this category!
Assessment Criteria
Judgment as to the winner of this category will be based on responses contained in the finalists’ submissions in other categories that they have entered in, particularly submissions based on career and professional growth and development, encouraging industry change through a collaborative holistic approach and exceptional customer service being provided.
Are you any of the following? Refer to these in your submissions to increase your likelihood of winning this category!
Overview
Arbitrators, alongside Mediators, also comprise a large part of the DRCA Team. Arbitration is something that we are particularly passionate about at DRCA. The ability for Arbitration to create a legally binding and enforceable decision at the end, is a development in Alternative Dispute Resolution that we consider to be monumental.
We commend those who are passionate about creating binding resolutions for those in a dispute outside of Court. At DRCA, we are of the view that Arbitration is the way of the future and we are excited to see the development of this dispute resolution pathway and what it may entail.
Eligibility
This category is open to any Individual that:
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be judged on their responses to the following (400 words max per question):
Are you an Australian Arbitrator that fits the above? Enter this category!
Overview
The Vanguard Peacemakers Award is one of the most prestigious awards of the ceremony. We have given our executive committee full discretion to choose whomever they deem fit for this title.
If you think about Michael Jackson, Madonna and Britney Spears being icons of pop culture. Icons for fighting to prevent racism, empowering women and artistry. This Award recognises an icon of Alternative Dispute Resolution who has paved the way for those that came after them.
Eligibility
This award is open to an individual, at the Executive Committee’s full discretion who has been incremental in changing people’s lives as a Peacemaker including clients, professionals and their industry as a whole.
Assessment criteria
An icon is somebody who achieves icon status. This Vanguard Award is described as the pinnacle of recognition for Australian Alternative Dispute Resolution. That’s who would win this award.