Belle Lane - Barrister and Mediator in Melbourne Victoria

Barrister, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Collaborative Professional and Arbitrator

I have worked almost exclusively in the area of Family Law since 1993. I graduated from ANU with an Honours Degree in Law in 1991 and a Masters in Law from Monash University in 1998.

I worked as a solicitor in Melbourne until 1998 when I joined the Victorian Bar. 
I moved to Perth in 2001 in search of better weather, loved it and decided to stay. Initially I worked at a boutique family law firm and then went to the Western Australian Bar in 2003. In 2007 I qualified as a mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.  In 2008 I qualified as an Arbitrator and then travelled to the United States and Canada to undertake further professional development in dispute resolution. I attended Harvard University to study negotiation and then undertook further training in Collaborative Practice in Toronto. From July 2008 to March 2012 I worked as a Consultant Lawyer at Forte Family Lawyers. I returned to the Victorian Bar in 2012 where I continue a practice in litigation and mediation.

After over 20 years in family law, I have become increasingly interested in alternate methods of helping people resolve their disputes with dignity and respect. While some disputes will require a decision of a Court, many will not, and Court should not be the first port of call.

I was the Victorian Representative on the board of the Australian Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM) from 2012 to 2019. This national body is working with the Courts to improve access to and quality of mediation services around Australia. While having resigned from the board, I still teach mediation with AIFLAM. This allows me to meet and work with wonderful colleagues, who also want more satisfactory outcomes for parties.