A section 60I family dispute resolution certificate is needed before filing almost any parenting family law matter with the court. 

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You cannot start court proceedings in relation to parenting without either a section 60I certificate or an exemption. A section 60I certificate can be issued based on one of the following circumstances:

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1) the person did not attend Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) due to the refusal or failed of the other person or people to attend; 

2) the person did not attend FDR because the practitioner considered it would not be appropriate to conduct FDR;

3) the people attended FDR, conducted by the practitioner, and all people made a genuine effort to resolve the issue(s) in dispute; 

4) the people attended FDR, conducted by the practitioner, but one lor more of the parties did not make a genuine effort to resolve the issue(s) in dispute; or

5) the parties began FDR, but part way through, the practitioner decided it was not appropriate to continue. 

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The practitioner can issue you with a section 60I certificate either before, during, or after mediation. A section 60I certificate is required to initiate an application for parenting matters in court, provided the application is filed within 12 months of the most recent family dispute resolution session or attempted session.

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