We provide an independent service - we will help you resolve your dispute by conciliation.
Every day we help people resolve their issues with ACC so that they get cover for their injury. We can do this in a way that is accessible and works. People don't need to write long submissions and they don't need to know all about the law. Instead, we help them, we go to conciliation with ACC and we work together to try to reach a resolution.
Pathways to Resolution
We know that the formal legal process can be challenging so we've developed a new approach.
We developed Pathways to Resolution. We start with this so that you understand your options. This is a conversation with one of our team. We know people want problems solved quickly but often do not understand the options available to them so they can make an informed choice about which pathway to follow.
Our team has been involved in tens of thousands of disputes with ACC. We use our expertise to talk to you about their options and what might work.
We talk about why we often recommend appointing an advocate and starting with conciliation to allow you to try and quickly reach an agreement without the need to wait months for a formal decision. We will explain that most disputes are resolved using this process, but that sometimes disputes cannot be resolved by agreement in which case you can continue to the more formal review process.
We will listen to what you have to say about ACC
We know that talking with the people involved and listening to their concerns is required before anything else. That’s why talking with you is the first step in our Pathways to Resolution process
We know that for most people, talking confidentially with someone they can trust is the most effective way for people to explain the issues they are concerned about. We start with this.
You will talk to our Pathways specialist about what ACC has done and the options for you to resolve this.
Advocacy Assistance to help with resolving the dispute
Our advocates represent you to help resolve the dispute
All of our advocates are independent experts in the legal system and collectively have been involved in resolving tens of thousands of disputes. Because of this experience, we can talk to you about what we need to do next. We can also help identify options to solve the problems.
We know the criteria you need to meet to reach resolution. We will talk to you about this and what needs to be done to ensure that you get the best possible information.
Conciliation with Talk - Meet - Resolve
The next step is conciliation. This is where we meet with ACC and the conciliator to explore options for agreement and develop these.
This is a free, independent service. We use it to help resolve the dispute by getting a neutral person involved to talk to us and ACC, meet with us and ACC, and resolve the dispute.
Sometimes, ACC will agree to pay for your surgery on the day. Other times, there will be further steps that need to be taken before ACC can do this. We will work this out and write it down so everyone knows what is happening next. Sometimes the legal tests for getting help from ACC are not met. If this is the case, the conciliator will talk to you about this.
Warren Forster: one of New Zealand's leading ACC Lawyers
Warren is based in New Zealand and has significant expertise in personal injury law, disability law, and dispute resolution. He has nearly 20 years of experience in these fields and is recognised for his work in transforming experiences in dispute resolution. Warren has actively engaged in research, contributing to the understanding and development of New Zealand's personal injury system.
Warren's work has been focused on leading and supporting systemic approaches to dispute resolution, particularly in the context of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) system in New Zealand. He co-founded "Talk-Meet-Resolve," a dispute resolution service that aims to revolutionise how ACC disputes are handled. This service is known for its agreement-based process and aims to resolve issues swiftly, often within a few weeks, a significant improvement compared to the lengthy durations usually associated with litigation in these matters.
His approach to dispute resolution is driven by a passion for access to justice and an interest in doing things differently to achieve better outcomes. He has been involved in numerous cases, reviews, and inquiries. He is known for providing innovative and effective dispute-resolution services.
This service has been established by Warren Forster. In this role, Warren is working as an advocate, and not as a lawyer.
About the Talk - Meet - Resolve Team
Why we use the Talk - Meet - Resolve service
All of the Talk - Meet - Resolve team have spent years being lawyers or mediators. They know the ACC system and the ACC law. Importantly though, they don't represent you - that's our job!
Instead, they've deigned a service that helps people and ACC resolve disputes differently.
We know that for most people, talking confidentially with someone they can trust is the most effective way for people to explain the issues they are concerned about. That’s why talking to everyone involved is the first thing that Talk – Meet – Resolve does.
Their team of conciliators are very experienced and has acted as lawyers, mediators and decision-makers in ACC disputes. They know the law. They know the ACC system. They bring all of this knowledge and experience to the table. They talk to people honestly about what this means for them. They use our knowledge and experience to help people.
They're proud of the work we do in transforming peoples experience of disputes into a positive empowering experience.
Learn more about Talk – Meet – Resolve's concilation process
Talk – Meet – Resolve has helped thousands of people resolve their disputes with ACC. 98% of users are satisfied with their service. Find out why we use Talk – Meet – Resolve for conciliation with our clients.
Use our service today
There are different options for you to request to use our service yourself. You can call us on 0800 222 022, you can email us or you can request to use Pathways to Resolution.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact a friendly member of our team.
Remember that we are here to help.