Chris Rowland – Principal Mediator
Chris is a Nationally Accredited Mediator (AMDRAS) and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, specialising in guiding parties through dispute resolution in a cost-effective, timely way.
Chris established Rowland Mediation to offer a comprehensive dispute resolution service, focusing on alternatives to stressful, slow, and expensive Court proceedings. With a background in psychology and administrative law, Chris is passionate about helping parties resolve current issues, protect long-term interests, and set up paths to communicate and manage relationships into the future.
His practice covers family, commercial, workplace, neighbourhood, and other disputes. Chris takes a solution-focused approach, helping parties reach practical, achievable agreements that meet their needs.
Qualifications
Chris is a Nationally Accredited Mediator (AMDRAS, 2026-2028) and holds a Mediation Professional Certificate from the Australian Disputes Centre (2025). He completed his Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Hons) in 2007, and holds a variety of other vocational qualifications that support his practice.
Professional Development
Chris is committed to best practice and continuous learning. He is currently pursuing accreditation as a NSW Farm Debt Mediator and with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and is completing a Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution to seek registration as a Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) Practitioner.
He actively engages in ongoing professional development by attending conferences and webinars, and participating in regular role-playing sessions with the Resolution Institute to refine his skills.
Experience
Chris has been working in administrative law and alternative dispute resolution for much of the past 15 years. His experience spans engineering, investigation, and design fields, providing a broad base for understanding complex disputes.
His past roles include serving as a Deputy Registrar at the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, an Investigator and Conciliator at the Office of the Australian Privacy Commissioner, and a Senior Investigator for the Commonwealth Ombudsman. He brings extensive mediation and conciliation experience gained across Australia to his current practice.
Memberships
- Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Australian Branch)
- Student Member, Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM)
- Professional Member, Australian Mediation Association
- Professional Member, Resolution Institute
The role of a mediator does not extend to giving legal advice to either party. To be clear, Chris is not a solicitor and can not (and will not) offer legal advice. Chris’ advice will be limited to procedural and administrative advice so far as it relates to dispute resolution services, and should parties seek legal advice or opinion, a referral can be made to one of our panel of solicitors.