The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV) provides free dispute resolution services across Victoria, as well as training and accrediting mediators to national standards.
DSCV’s purpose is to empower and assist the Victorian community to prevent and appropriately resolve issues, alleviate pressure on the judicial system and help the community to thrive.
We were established in 1987 and are a state-wide dispute resolution service which provides alternative dispute resolution for both community and civil disputes.
DSCV also provides a state-wide place-based community and civil mediation service, as well as dispute resolution training through conflict resolution skills workshops and mediation training to national accredited standards.
DSCV has a regional presence throughout Victoria with staff operating out of Department of Justice and Community Safety regional offices including Morwell, Ballarat, Geelong, Warrnambool, Horsham, Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton and Wangaratta. Services are also provided in the Melbourne CBD and across metropolitan offices, such as the Dandenong Justice Service Centre.
We hold two significant state-wide programs with the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria:
- Civil mediation Program – where we mediate all defended civil cases under $40,000 and all matters involving an Incorporated Association. This program operates at 42 Courts across the state. The program has maintained a high success rate of 85% utilising qualified and experienced mediators.
- Personal Safety Intervention Order Program (PSIO) - parties involved in PSIO matters are referred to a DSCV staff member to provide onsite dispute resolution on the day of the hearing of the matter. This program has equally assisted to resolve a significant number of matters and contribute to saving Magistrates Court time.
Contact us
DSCV has offices throughout Victoria. To contact your local office, call: 1300 372 888.
