Bilingual Mediation Services in English and Mandarin
Dr Shi is fluent in both English and Mandarin and offers mediation services in both languages. Her ability to navigate linguistic and cultural differences can be particularly valuable where language, communication styles or cultural perspectives may otherwise create barriers to understanding. She helps parties engage in clear, focused and constructive dialogue, ensuring that each participant has the opportunity to be heard and understood.
Experienced Mediator of Civil Disputes
Dr Shi brings a distinctive combination of academic, legal and professional experience to her mediation practice. She is a senior lecturer at RMIT University and has also worked as an industrial officer and practising solicitor. This breadth of experience gives her a strong understanding of how civil disputes arise and escalate, and how they can be resolved in a way that is practical, constructive and durable.
Dr Shi mediates a broad range of civil disputes, including commercial and business disputes, family and relationship disputes, wills and estate matters, employment and workplace disputes, and other civil disputes. She is skilled in assisting parties where relationships, financial interests or deeply held concerns may make disputes particularly complex or emotionally charged.
Her approach to mediation is calm, patient and even-handed. She creates an empathetic and supportive environment in which each party has an opportunity to be heard, understand the issues from different perspectives, explore options and work towards a resolution that is acceptable and workable for those involved.
As a lawyer and industrial officer, Dr Shi represented clients in the Fair Work Commission, VCAT, the Magistrates’ Court and the County Court. Her legal experience gives her a practical understanding of the legal, emotional and financial risks associated with prolonged disputes and litigation, as well as the benefits of resolving disputes early and constructively through mediation.
Whether a dispute involves a business relationship, family or estate matter, workplace issue, or another civil disagreement, Dr Shi brings a combination of legal knowledge, professional experience and a thoughtful, people-focused approach to helping parties find a way forward.
Approach and Philosophy
Respectful: Every participant’s perspective is acknowledged and treated with fairness, creating a safe and constructive environment for dialogue.
Structured: Sessions follow a deliberate, methodical process, enabling parties to identify underlying issues, explore options, and achieve mutually sustainable agreements.
Evidence-Informed: Approaches are guided by empirical research, best practice frameworks, and contemporary dispute resolution methodologies.
Practical: Focused on implementable, real-world solutions that are tailored to the parties.
