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About Rod Smith

Rod Smith is a senior litigation lawyer, commercial mediator and arbitrator. His 39 years legal practice and over 15 years mediation and arbitration practice have covered an extensive area. He has also had significant involvement in professional affairs serving on numerous professional committees and organizations. Included in this involvement has been a term as President of the Law Institute of Victoria and as a member of the Law Council of Australia.




Professional History

Admitted to practice 1968
Employee Solicitor
Malleson Stewart & Co. 1968 - 1969
Price Higgins 1969 - 1972
Partner Price Higgins 1972 - 1995
Consultant Harwood Andrews 1995 - 1999
Sole Practice Since 1999

Mediation Training and Accreditation

CDR Associates Effective Mediation Course 1990
LEADR Mediation Course 1993
Law Institute of Victoria Specialist Accreditation in Mediation Since 1993

Mediation Experience/Areas of Expertise

Over 900 mediations covering a wide range of disputes including:

  • Contract
  • Professional Negligence
  • Trade Practices
  • Insolvency
  • Corporations
  • Property and Leasing
  • Wills and Estates
  • Personal Injury
  • Superannuation
  • Franchising
  • Partnerships
  • Trusts
  • Professional Liability

Arbitration Training and Accreditation

IAMA General and Advanced Arbitration Courses 1993
IAMA Arbitrators Grading Examination 1993

Arbitration Experience

At least 15 arbitrations dealing with commercial contracts, property, building, statutory duty and real estate agency.

Mediation Panel Accreditation

  • Supreme and County Courts
  • Law Institute of Victoria
  • LEADR
  • Franchising Code of Conduct
  • Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia
  • Motor Vehicle Insurance & Repair Industry
  • Produce & Grocery Industry
  • Oilcode

Dispute Resolution Organizations

Law Institute of Victoria
Member and Chairperson of Specialisation Advisory Committee in Mediation 1993-1998
Member of Mediation Panel Committee 1996 - 2006
Member of Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee Since 1990

LEADR
Member Since 1989
Victorian Chapter Executive Committee 1990 - 2005
National Director 1998-2000

Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia
Member Since 1993

Professional Association and Board Appointments

Law Institute of Victoria
President 1994-1995
Member of Litigation Section Executive 1984-2001
Member of Specialization Board 1989-1992

Law Council of Australia
Council Member 1995-1996
Member of Task Force on ALRC Inquiry into Adversarial System 1996-2000

Legalsuper (formerly LISS & VSSF)
Board Member Since 1996

Essential Services Commission, Victoria
Appeal Panel Member Since 1996

Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation
Sessional Commissioner Since 2005

Legal Practice Board
Board Member 2000 - 2005

Credit Ombudsman Service Ltd
Credit Ombudsman for Victoria 2001 - 2006

Legal Aid Commission of Victoria
Board Member 1991-1994

Financial Services Complaints Resolution Scheme
Council Chairman 1999-2000