We have a new approach to the dispute resolution process, prioritising conciliation as the first step. We focus on effective engagement and finding solutions that meet everyone's objectives including timely resolution. The process involves discussing the law and evidence and preparing for consensus-based conciliation. We will explore potential options for resolution of the dispute.
Advocacy Assistance for Conciliation
This service is focused on providing advocacy through the consensus-based resolution process.
Advocacy Assistance in the conciliation space involves us working together to get what we need to resolve the dispute with ACC by agreement. We will send off the review application and ask ACC to share some of your information with us. You will need to help by contacting your treatment providers and asking them to send some information directly to us. We will give you some instructions on how to do this when we first write to you.
We will then meet with you by phone or online meeting at a time that suits us both. It’s really easy to book this meeting and we will send you a link as soon as we have the information from your treatment provider. This first meeting with your advocate will be a 30-minute session to discuss your situation, and previous interactions with ACC and treatment providers, and explore possible options for moving forward, including dates for a conciliation meeting.
After this, once we have any additional information, if your case is eligible, we will send the dispute for an independent early neutral evaluation. In some cases, we may be able to arrange medical advice from an independent advisor to help prepare for conciliation.
Once we have what we need, you can book another meeting with the advocate to prepare for the conciliation. After this, we will attend the conciliation meeting together. You can discuss your experiences with your Conciliator and ACC. Often an agreement is reached. If so, this will bring the dispute to an end and that agreement is implemented. If no agreement is reached, you can decide to continue to a case conference and then a review hearing.