Community Justice Centre Mediation Survey & Evaluation

I am a researcher with the NSW Law Reform Commission conducting a survey about mediation at Community Justice Centres. I understand that you were recently involved in a mediation matter. Is this correct?

This survey is to evaluate participants’ satisfaction with the mediation service. There are about twenty five questions and the survey will take approximately 10 minutes. Is that okay?

All the information will be treated confidentially. No personally identifiable information will be included in any reports, publications or records. I will read each of the questions to you and provide you with options for your answer. Please ask if you need any of the questions to be repeated.

RESPONDENT CHARACTERISTICS

1. Gender

1= Male

2= Female

2. Age ……………

1 = < ~ 29 yr

2 = 30 - 45yr

3 = 46 - 60 yr

4 = + 60 yr

3. In what town or city was your mediation session held? …………………………………………

4. Did you start the mediation process?

1 = Yes (Party A, go to Q 5)

2 = No (Party B, go to Q 6)

5. If yes, how were you referred to CJC?

1 = Magistrate

2 = Chamber Magistrate (or other local court official)

3 = Police

4 = Other Legal Service (eg. private / legal aid / community legal centre) ……………………………

5 = Local / State Govt Dept (specify)……………………………………………………………………..

6 = Other (specify)………………………………………………………………………………………...

7 = Self

If self, how did you find out about Community Justice Centres?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

6. What was the nature of your dispute?

1 = Neighbour

2 = Family

3 = Commercial / business

4 = Work

5 = Social (i.e. non family/neighbour/work)

6 = Other (specify) ………………………………………

7. Did your dispute involve an:

1 = APVO

2 = ADVO

3 = neither

8.Did you feel that you had a choice in attending the mediation?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

If NO, why not? ……………………………………………………………………………..

9. Do you feel that you had enough information about mediation prior to attending the mediation session?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

10. Did you understand what was going to happen in the mediation?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

11. Were you made aware that you could stop the mediation at any time?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

12. From your first contact with the CJC through to the mediation session, do you think the time it took was:

1= Too long

2 = Too short

3 = Satisfactory

4 = Unsure

13. Do you think there was enough time during the mediation session to deal with issues from your point of view?

1= Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

14. Are you from a

1 = NESB (go to Q 15)

2 = ATSI (go to Q 15)

3 = neither (go to Q 16)

15. If from NESB or ATSI, do you think the mediators were sensitive to your cultural background?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

16. Did you feel pressured during the mediation session to make an agreement?

1 = Yes (go to Q 17)

2 = No (go to Q 18)

3 = Unsure (go to Q 18)

17. If yes, did you think the pressure come from the:

1 = Other party

2 = Mediators

3 = Time

4 = Other (specify)……………………………….

18. Do you think the mediators favoured one party’s point of view over another?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

19. Do you think the mediators understood your concerns?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

20. Do you feel the mediators allowed you to have your say during the mediation?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

21. Do you think it helped having two mediators?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

Why / why not? (specify)……………………………………………………

22. What was the outcome of your mediation?

1 = Agreement (Statement of Resolved Issues)

2 = Partial agreement (Negotiated Statement of Unresolved Issues)

3 = No agreement (terminated mediation)

4 = Other (specify) ………………………………….

23. Were you satisfied with the outcome?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

24. Do you feel the mediation has either:

1= Worsened the situation for you

2= Improved the situation for you

3= Made no difference

25. Would you use the mediation at CJC again?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unsure

26. What do you think was the best aspect about the CJC mediation?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

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27. What problems did you have with the CJC mediation?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

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28. Do you have any ideas on how the CJC mediation could be improved?

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