Dispute resolution professional
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours or part time
- Usually work in offices and courts
- May do emotionally demanding work
- Need to be logical, identify and solve problems and communicate well
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Mediate personal and workplace conflicts
- Make decisions in legal cases
- Direct courtroom activities
- Prepare written legal decisions
- Authorise payments to settle disputes
- Hold hearings to investigate legal issues
- Research legal materials to help decision making
- Analyse legal information on public record
- Give legal advice
- Decide if legal proceedings are valid
Outlook
Dispute resolution is becoming more important as people and organisations seek fair, timely alternatives to court. Mediation, arbitration and adjudication are used across areas such as workplaces, construction, family matters and business. Online meetings and digital case tools are making some processes more flexible, while growing cultural awareness is encouraging approaches that better reflect the needs of diverse communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Impartiality and a strong sense of fairness
- Excellent listening and questioning skills
- Calm communication in difficult situations
- Ability to analyse issues and identify practical options
- Respect for confidentiality and professional ethics
- Cultural awareness and ability to work with diverse people
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.