Case Management Hearing Date! 19th March, page-34

Is there a date that the respondent must file (their defence) ?

I have had some experience in civil matters in courts and tribunals. On all occassions, the Judicial Officer asked if mediation or ADR had been attempted. In one matter, the pre-condition of going to formal proceedings was mediation and that the mediator confirming, in writing, that mediation had failed.

This is what AI said

In the Federal Court of Australia, there is a general expectation that parties will make efforts to resolve disputes before proceeding to trial, and mediation is one of the key tools in this process.

However, there is not necessarily a strict "onus" on parties to mediate before the Court, but there are several mechanisms that encourage or even require it in certain situations:Court-ordered Mediation:

The Federal Court has the power to refer matters to mediation, and judges may make orders for parties to participate in mediation. This is particularly common in civil disputes where mediation can help resolve the issue without the need for a full trial.

as a Step in the Litigation Process:

The Court encourages the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation, as part of its procedural rules. In some cases, it may even be a pre-condition to progressing further with the litigation.Federal Court Rules:

Under the Federal Court Rules, the Court may direct that a matter be referred to mediation or another form of ADR at various points in the proceedings. In fact, the Court’s emphasis on mediation is reflected in the use of the "alternative dispute resolution" (ADR) procedures under the Federal Court’s rules and practices.

The "Onus" to Participate: While there is no absolute onus, the Court will often expect parties to attempt mediation before proceeding to trial.
If parties refuse to engage in mediation without good reason, they may be penalized in costs or risk having their claims or defenses adversely affected.Practical Considerations:

The Federal Court has mediation services available, including Registrar-led mediations and the possibility of appointing a private mediator. There is a general expectation that parties will try to resolve their disputes in a way that saves time and resources for both the Court and the parties involved.In summary, while parties are not strictly obliged to mediate before the Federal Court of Australia, the Court strongly encourages or may direct mediation as a step in the litigation process, and refusal to engage in good faith with mediation may affect the outcome, especially regarding costs.