---
title: Dispute Resolution Perth for Managing Commercial Risk
description: Dispute Resolution Perth supports firms facing complex commercial risk with structured mediation and facilitation from Hollingdales based in Perth.
---

[![img\_hollingdales\_logo](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/img_hollingdales_logo.png)](https://hollingdales.com.au?hsLang=en)

- [Home](https://hollingdales.com.au?hsLang=en)
- [Services](https://hollingdales.com.au/services?hsLang=en)
  
    - [Protecting Commercial Outcomes for Construction Projects](https://hollingdales.com.au/protecting-commercial-outcomes-for-construction-projects?hsLang=en)
    - [Construction and Infrastructure Legal Advice](https://hollingdales.com.au/construction-and-infrastructure-legal-advice?hsLang=en)
    - [Mediation and Facilitation for Wills and Estates Disputes](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-and-facilitation-for-wills-and-estates-disputes?hsLang=en)
    - [Mediation for Business Disputes](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-for-business-disputes?hsLang=en)
    - [Facilitation for Succession Planning](https://hollingdales.com.au/facilitation-for-succession-planning?hsLang=en)
- [About](https://hollingdales.com.au/about?hsLang=en)
  
    - [Michael Hollingdale - Profile](https://hollingdales.com.au/michael-hollingdale?hsLang=en)
    - [Recognition and Credentials](https://hollingdales.com.au/recognition-and-credentials?hsLang=en)
    - [Major Projects and Credentials](https://hollingdales.com.au/major-projects-and-credentials?hsLang=en)
- [Insights](https://hollingdales.com.au/insights?hsLang=en)
  
    - [Construction Contract Risk and Administration](https://hollingdales.com.au/construction-contract-risk-and-administration?hsLang=en)
    - [Construction Law and Procurement](https://hollingdales.com.au/construction-law-and-procurement?hsLang=en)
    - [Mediation and Dispute Resolution](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-and-dispute-resolution?hsLang=en)
    - [Succession Planning and Family Business](https://hollingdales.com.au/succession-planning-and-family-business?hsLang=en)
- [Working with Hollingdales](https://hollingdales.com.au/working-with-hollingdales?hsLang=en)
  
    - [How the Commercial Risk Retainer Works](https://hollingdales.com.au/how-the-commercial-risk-retainer-works?hsLang=en)
    - [Referrals from Professional Advisers](https://hollingdales.com.au/referrals-from-professional-advisers)
- [Blog](https://hollingdales.com.au/blog?hsLang=en)
- [Contact](https://hollingdales.com.au/contact?hsLang=en)
  
    - [Make an Enquiry](https://hollingdales.com.au/make-an-enquiry?hsLang=en)
    - [Referral Enquiry](https://hollingdales.com.au/referral-enquiry?hsLang=en)

 ── Working With Hollingdales

# Collaborative Mediation and Facilitation Referrals for Professional Advisers in Western Australia

Hollingdales advances client matters through nationally accredited mediation and facilitation, operating as a bounded process collaborator that protects the referring adviser's long-standing professional relationships throughout every engagement.

For Litigation Lawyers · Succession Planning Lawyers · Accountants · Financial Planners

[Discuss a Client Matter Confidentially](https://hollingdales.com.au/make-an-enquiry?hsLang=en)

 ── Quick Answer

## What does the Referrals from Professional Advisers service provide?

Hollingdales serves as a trusted process collaborator for professional advisers, advancing client matters through mediation and facilitation while safeguarding existing client relationships. The practice offers nationally accredited mediation and structured facilitation services tailored to wills and estates disputes, SME commercial conflicts, and family business succession planning.

 What It Is

A collaborative referral pathway giving professional advisers access to nationally accredited mediation and facilitation, structured to resolve client matters without displacing the referring adviser's role.

 Who It Serves

Litigation lawyers, succession planning lawyers, accountants, and financial planners seeking a credentialled collaborator for wills and estates disputes, SME commercial conflicts, and family business succession.

 The Outcome

Documented resolutions returned to the referring adviser, with client relationships intact and the adviser's professional standing preserved throughout the mediation or facilitation process.

 ── Collaborative Partnership

## Partnering with Professional Advisers to Advance Client Matters

Hollingdales operates as a collaborative partner for litigation lawyers, succession planning lawyers, accountants, and financial planners considering mediation or facilitation referrals. The practice advances client matters with integrity, ensuring that the referring adviser's long-standing professional relationship remains protected throughout the process. This approach recognises that referral professionals require confidence in the mediator or facilitator's credentials, clarity on the engagement process, and assurance that their advisory role is respected and preserved.

By working alongside advisers rather than competing with them, Hollingdales facilitates durable resolutions for clients while maintaining the trust and continuity that these professionals have cultivated over years of practice. The structure of each engagement is deliberately bounded: the mediator or facilitator does not provide advice on matters within the adviser's scope, ensuring that clients return to their existing professionals with documented outcomes rather than fragmented or unsupported results.

Litigation Lawyers  
Accountants Financial Planners Succession Planning Lawyers

**Key Insight**  
Referral professionals rely on Hollingdales' documented credentials, national accreditation, and recognised mediation track record to confidently recommend the practice internally and to opposing parties.

- Client relationships remain intact post-process
- Documented outcomes returned to the referring adviser
- Mediator does not encroach on the adviser's domain
- Regular communication with the referring professional throughout

 ── Credentials and Recognition

## Why Referral Professionals Choose Hollingdales

Hollingdales combines more than 30 years of mediation and facilitation experience with continuous national accreditation under the Australian Mediation Accreditation System (AMDRAS) since its inception. The practice's principal mediator, Michael Hollingdale, holds advanced collaborative practice training specific to wills and estates through Collaborative Professionals WA Inc and Family Inheritance Solutions — equipping him to manage emotional family dynamics while simultaneously interpreting complex estate documents within mediation.

Recognition includes continuous listings in the Doyles Guide as a leading mediator in Western Australia since 2019, and panel appointments on specialised wills and estates panels. These credentials provide referral professionals with citable validation, enabling them to present Hollingdales as a credible and trusted mediator or facilitator to their clients and opposing counsel with confidence. The combination of legal qualification, mediation practice depth, and wills and estates-specific collaborative training is not replicated by generalist mediators in the Western Australian market.

This dual capability — holding the room under emotional pressure while understanding what the legal documents mean — distinguishes Hollingdales and assures financial planners and litigation lawyers that the process addresses both legal and relational complexities simultaneously.

### 30+

Years of mediation and facilitation practice

### 2019

Continuous Doyles Guide recognition as leading mediator in WA

### Panel Appointments

- Collaborative Professionals WA — Wills & Estates Panel
- Family Inheritance Solutions — Wills & Estates Panel
- Resolution Institute
- Law Society of Western Australia
- Small Business Development Corporation WA
- Australian Disputes Centre

 ── Accreditation and Recognition

## Credentials Relevant to Referral Professionals

AMDRAS

National accreditation under the Australian Mediation Accreditation System — held continuously since inception

Doyles

Doyles Guide 2026 — Leading Mediator, Perth, Western Australia, continuously since 2019

CPWA

Advanced collaborative practice training — Collaborative Professionals WA Inc, specific to wills and estates

FIS

Advanced collaborative practice training — Family Inheritance Solutions, specific to wills and estates

 ── Services Available Through Referral

## Four Core Engagement Types for Referring Professionals

Referral professionals can access four distinct engagement types at Hollingdales, each designed to address specific client needs while complementing the adviser's ongoing role. Each engagement is structured to preserve the referring professional's client relationship and return documented outcomes at conclusion.

**SME Commercial**

### Mediation for SME Commercial Disputes

A commercially grounded mediation service across all industries and sectors, assisting SME business owners and their advisers to convert entrenched contractual disputes into enforceable settlements. This service addresses both the visible legal costs and the invisible costs — management time consumed, relationships strained, and months lost — delivering faster, cost-effective resolution.

---

- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Pre-litigation and during litigation
- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) All industries, professions, and sectors
- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Enforceable documented settlement

[View Service](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-for-business-disputes?hsLang=en)

**COMPLEX COMMERCIAL**

### Mediation for Complex Construction, Infrastructure, Mining & Substantial Commercial Disputes

A confidential, structured process that holds the room under emotional pressure while simultaneously interpreting complex estate documents. This mediation reduces litigation cost and trauma, surfaces the drivers of conflict beyond stated legal positions, and results in properly documented outcomes. It is specifically suited to contested wills, family provision claims, and estate administration disputes.

---

- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Pre-litigation and during litigation
- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Construction, infrastructure, mining, major projects and substantial commercial
- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Technical and commercially complex disputes

[View Service](https://hollingdales.com.au/facilitation-for-succession-planning?hsLang=en)

**Wills & Estates**

### Mediation for Wills and Estates Disputes

A confidential mediation service for complex construction, infrastructure, mining and substantial commercial disputes. Designed for matters involving technical issues, contract interpretation, delay, variations, payment claims, certification disputes and major project delivery challenges. Available before proceedings commence or during active litigation, delivering practical, commercially focused and enforceable outcomes.

---

- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Contested wills
- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Family provision claims
- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Estate administration disputes

[View Service](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-and-facilitation-for-wills-and-estates-disputes?hsLang=en)

**Family Business**

### Facilitation for Family Business Succession Planning

A neutral facilitation process convening family conferences that manage ownership, control, and fairness discussions. The facilitation ensures that what is agreed is documented in succession plans or deeds of family arrangement, supporting advisers who have completed structural and documentary work but require a trusted collaborator to hold the family conversation.

---

- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Family conferences convened and chaired
- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Succession plans and deeds of family arrangement
- ![](https://hollingdales.com.au/hubfs/icon_checked_02.png) Adviser role protected throughout

[View Service](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-and-facilitation-for-wills-and-estates-disputes?hsLang=en)

 ── How the Referral Process Works

## A Transparent and Collaborative Referral Process

The referral process is structured to give referring professionals full confidence before, during, and after every engagement. Michael Hollingdale serves as the direct point of contact for all referrals, ensuring continuity of knowledge and relationship from first conversation through to documented outcome.

 1

### Initial Confidential Conversation

The referral process begins with a direct conversation between the referring professional and Michael Hollingdale. This conversation clarifies the client's circumstances, the nature of the dispute or facilitation need, and the appropriate process structure — without any commitment on the part of the referring professional or their client.

 2

### Tailored Engagement with Regular Communication

Hollingdales conducts the mediation or facilitation engagement while maintaining regular communication with the referring adviser. The adviser remains informed of progress at each stage, without the mediator or facilitator encroaching on their advisory domain or providing guidance within the adviser's scope of practice.

 3

### Documented Outcome Returned to the Adviser

At the conclusion of the process, Hollingdales provides a documented outcome to the referring professional, enabling them to continue their advisory role with clear, structured resolution evidence. This transparent approach supports the referring professional's credibility and preserves the client relationship they have built over years of practice.

 ── Protecting Your Client Relationship

## How Hollingdales Safeguards the Referring Adviser's Role

Hollingdales recognises that preserving the referring professional's client relationship is paramount to every engagement. The practice does not seek to replace or displace the adviser's role. Instead, each engagement is structured as a bounded process collaborator role, ensuring that the mediator or facilitator does not provide advice on matters within the adviser's scope.

For example, in facilitation for succession planning, Hollingdales convenes and chairs family conferences with the authority and neutrality required to manage complex dynamics — without advising on the legal or financial structure that the referring lawyer or accountant has designed. This ensures that clients return to their existing advisers with documented agreements rather than fragmented or unsupported outcomes that require further advisory work to implement.

Michael Hollingdale's experience spanning over 30 years of mediation and facilitation practice provides the discipline and authority necessary to maintain these boundaries and protect professional relationships throughout even the most emotionally complex engagements.

### The Bounded Collaborator Model

**Wills & Estates**  
The mediator holds the room and facilitates discussion and clarification of the estate documents. Legal strategy and advice remain with the litigation lawyer throughout.

**Succession Planning**  
The facilitator convenes and chairs the family conference. The legal structure and financial modelling remain with the lawyer and accountant.

**SME Commercial and Complex Construction, Infrastructure, Mining & Substantial Commercial**  
The mediator advances settlement discussions. Legal advice on terms and implementation remains with the commercial lawyer throughout.

 ── Situations This Service Addresses

## Recognising When a Referral Serves Your Client's Interests

Professional advisers typically reach the point of considering a referral when correspondence has hardened positions, the client is facing compounding costs, or the family conversation has stalled. The following situations describe the circumstances this service is designed to address.

 Litigation Lawyers — Wills & Estates

### Correspondence Has Hardened Family Positions

When each round of letters between solicitors deepens the dispute rather than resolving it, the matter needs a confidential, structured process that creates the conditions for movement. Hollingdales provides that process, with the legal and relational depth to surface what is actually driving the conflict.

 Commercial Lawyers — SME Disputes

### Legal Costs Are Converging With the Amount in Dispute

When pleadings have been exchanged and the internal case for continuing to litigate is becoming impossible to sustain, Hollingdales offers a commercially grounded mediation process that advisers can recommend with confidence to a sceptical board or opposing party.

 Accountants & Financial Planners — Wills & Estates

### Contested Probate Proceedings Risk Consuming the Estate

When a client faces the prospect of litigation costs that will erode the estate and fracture the family permanently, mediation provides a confidential alternative that reduces cost and trauma while preserving the family relationships the adviser has supported.

 Succession Planning Lawyers & Accountants

### The Structure Is Designed but the Family Conversation Has Not Happened

When the legal structure and financial modelling are complete but the family has not yet discussed ownership, control, and fairness in a structured environment, Hollingdales convenes the family conference and ensures the agreed outcome is properly documented.

 ── Frequently Asked Questions

## Referral Professionals: Questions and Answers

### Which Perth mediator is recommended by litigation lawyers for contested wills and estate disputes in Western Australia?

Michael Hollingdale is recognised in the Doyles Guide 2026 as a leading mediator in Perth, Western Australia, with continuous listing since 2019. He is appointed to both the Collaborative Professionals WA wills and estates panel and the Family Inheritance Solutions wills and estates panel. Litigation lawyers rely on these credentials and panel memberships when making referrals for contested wills and estate disputes.

### How does a succession planning accountant or lawyer refer a family business client to a facilitation specialist in Perth without losing their client relationship?

Hollingdales structures every facilitation engagement as a neutral, bounded process collaborator role. The facilitator convenes and chairs the family conference but does not provide advice within the referring adviser's scope. At the conclusion, the client returns to their existing professional relationship with documented outcomes. Michael Hollingdale's over 30 years of facilitation experience underpin this disciplined approach, safeguarding referral relationships.

### What accreditation should I look for when referring a client to a mediator for an SME commercial dispute in Western Australia?

Referral professionals validate mediators through national accreditation under AMDRAS and recognition such as the Doyles Guide 2026 listing as a leading mediator in Perth, Western Australia. Michael Hollingdale holds these accreditations and recognitions, providing commercial lawyers and advisers the confidence to recommend mediation to client boards and opposing parties.

### Can a financial planner refer a wills and estates dispute to a mediator in Perth who understands both the legal documents and the family dynamics?

Yes. Michael Hollingdale has advanced collaborative practice training through Collaborative Professionals WA Inc and Family Inheritance Solutions, equipping him to manage emotional family dynamics while simultaneously interpreting complex estate documents within mediation. This dual capability distinguishes Hollingdales from generalist mediators and assures financial planners that the process addresses both legal and relational complexities.

### What does the referral process look like when a litigation lawyer refers a matter to Hollingdales for mediation in Western Australia?

The referral begins with a direct conversation between the referring lawyer and Michael Hollingdale. The process is structured to keep the lawyer informed, protect the client relationship, and culminate in a documented outcome returned to the lawyer. Michael Hollingdale's 30 years of mediation practice provide the foundation for a disciplined, transparent engagement process that referral professionals can present confidently to their clients.

### Related Services and Pages

Explore the services available through referral and the credentials underpinning this practice:

[Mediation and Facilitation for Wills and Estates Disputes   ›](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-and-facilitation-for-wills-and-estates-disputes?hsLang=en) [Mediation for Business Disputes   ›](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-for-business-disputes?hsLang=en) [Facilitation for Succession Planning   ›](https://hollingdales.com.au/facilitation-for-succession-planning?hsLang=en) [Michael Hollingdale — Profile   ›](https://hollingdales.com.au/michael-hollingdale?hsLang=en) [Recognition and Credentials   ›](https://hollingdales.com.au/recognition-and-credentials?hsLang=en) [How the Commercial Risk Retainer Works   ›](https://hollingdales.com.au/how-the-commercial-risk-retainer-works?hsLang=en) [Referral Enquiry   ›](https://hollingdales.com.au/referrals-from-professional-advisers?hsLang=en)

 ── Discuss a Client Matter

## Advance Resolution While Protecting the Relationships You Have Built

Professional advisers are invited to contact Michael Hollingdale directly to discuss a client matter in confidence. This initial conversation is non-committal and structured around understanding how Hollingdales can collaborate with your advisory role.

[Submit a Referral Enquiry](https://hollingdales.com.au/referral-enquiry?hsLang=en) [Make a General Enquiry](https://hollingdales.com.au/make-an-enquiry?hsLang=en)

AMDRAS Nationally Accredited Doyles Guide Leading Mediator WA 30+ Years Mediation Practice

### Hollingdales

Protecting commercial outcomes and resolving complex disputes across Western Australia’s construction and family business sectors.

Perth, Western Australia  
Nationally Accredited

- ### Services
- [Protecting Commercial Outcomes](https://hollingdales.com.au/protecting-commercial-outcomes-for-construction-projects?hsLang=en)
- [Construction & Infrastructure Legal Advice](https://hollingdales.com.au/construction-and-infrastructure-legal-advice?hsLang=en)
- [Wills & Estates Mediation](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-and-facilitation-for-wills-and-estates-disputes?hsLang=en)
- [Mediation for Business Disputes](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-for-business-disputes?hsLang=en)
- [Succession Planning Facilitation](https://hollingdales.com.au/facilitation-for-succession-planning?hsLang=en)

- ### [About](https://hollingdales.com.au/about?hsLang=en)
- [Michael Hollingdale — Profile](https://hollingdales.com.au/michael-hollingdale?hsLang=en)
- [Recognition & Credentials](https://hollingdales.com.au/recognition-and-credentials?hsLang=en)
- [Major Projects & Track Record](https://hollingdales.com.au/major-projects-and-credentials?hsLang=en)
- ### [Working with Hollingdales](https://hollingdales.com.au/working-with-hollingdales?hsLang=en)
- [How the Retainer Works](https://hollingdales.com.au/how-the-commercial-risk-retainer-works?hsLang=en)
- [Referrals from Advisers](https://hollingdales.com.au/referrals-from-professional-advisers)

- ### [Insights](https://hollingdales.com.au/insights?hsLang=en)
- [Construction Contract Risk](https://hollingdales.com.au/construction-contract-risk-and-administration?hsLang=en)
- [Construction Law & Procurement](https://hollingdales.com.au/construction-law-and-procurement?hsLang=en)
- [Mediation & Dispute Resolution](https://hollingdales.com.au/mediation-and-dispute-resolution?hsLang=en)
- [Succession & Family Business](https://hollingdales.com.au/succession-planning-and-family-business?hsLang=en)
- ### [Contact](https://hollingdales.com.au/contact?hsLang=en)
- [Make an Enquiry](https://hollingdales.com.au/make-an-enquiry?hsLang=en)
- [Referral Enquiry](https://hollingdales.com.au/referral-enquiry?hsLang=en)

© 2026 Hollingdales. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

AMDRAS Nationally Accredited  ·  Resolution Institute Panel  ·  Law Society WA Mediator Panel  ·  Doyle's Guide Recognised  ·  Best Lawyers Australia 2026

[Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software)