The Mediation Service
conflict resolution services for the community

The Mediation Service can
• provide mediators for specific disputes
• provide mediation services on a service level agreement basis
• assist with policy making in organisations to include mediation in procedures
• provide mediation and conflict resolution training
• provide community conferencing for conflicts involving more than 2 parties
• offer peer mediation programmes for schools

Why Mediation?

Mediation is becoming a popular solution where opposing parties want to find resolution yet for some reason cannot reach agreement. Often, people involved in a dispute would rather reach a settlement than be in conflict. It is especially helpful where the parties have an ongoing relationship for example, as colleagues, neighbours or parents.

As a trained and experienced mediator I offer mediation services for people in conflict. To follow is an explanation of the process. Please contact me for more information or to book a mediation service.

What is Mediation?

Mediation replaces adversarial confrontation with principled negotiation. The objective is to find a workable agreement between the parties and avoid further conflict or recourse to the law.

Mediation is entirely private and confidential.

What happens in a Mediation?

Mediation is a flexible process that is used in a number of different situations. In most types of mediation, the following steps take place:

If one person asks for mediation, all those involved are contacted to check they agree to take part. Anyone can withdraw at any stage if they want to.

Everyone involved is then contacted individually by mediators. The mediator will ask each of them to explain how they see the current situation, and how they would like it to be in the future.

Information shared during the mediation is private and confidential (with the exception of disclosure of serious abuse) unless otherwise agreed.

If both parties agree to come to a joint meeting, the following steps take place:

Mediators will explain the structure of the meeting and ask everyone to agree to some basic rules, such as listening without interrupting and not making offensive remarks.

Each person will then have a chance to talk about the problem as it affects him or her. The mediators will try to make sure that everyone understands what each person has said, and allow them to respond.

They will then help both parties identify the issues that need to be sorted out. Very often this leads to solutions that no one had thought of before, helping parties to reach an agreement.

The agreement is usually written down, and signed by both parties and the mediators. However, it is not legally binding and cannot be enforced in court unless the parties decide to make it a legal contract. The agreement does not affect anyone's legal rights either, allowing the freedom to find another way of dealing with the dispute at any time.

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What is the role of the Mediator?

Mediators help people identify their needs, clarify issues, explore solutions and negotiate their own agreement.

Mediators do not advise those in dispute, but help people to communicate with one another.

Mediators are impartial, and must have no stake in the outcome of the process
How can mediation help?

Mediation works because:

• it allows people to be heard. In many cases, a simple apology from either or both sides is all that is required to put the situation right.
• it encourages people to put forward their own suggestions and ideas.
• it is less intimidating than legal procedures
• it provides solutions that the parties themselves have decided on, giving a sense of ownership. As a result, agreements reached in this way stand a greater chance of being upheld.
• it can be organised quickly. When disagreements are not addressed, they can escalate. Mediation is easy to arrange.
• it is usually affordable.

Moving the situation on

By giving everyone the opportunity to explain their side of the story, and to talk without being interrupted, mediation can be very helpful when a situation is stuck.

It is not an 'easy option' - when people are honest and are encouraged to say what they feel, the situation can provoke strong emotions - but once people have had a chance to express their feelings, they are more likely to let their hostility go.

How can Mediation benefit me?

Talking through your situation with an independent mediator can help in a number of different ways.

• a chance to tell your side of the story - being listened to can make you feel supported.
• allowing you to admit how upset you are - many people cope with conflict by pretending they do not care.
• feeling empowered - ignoring situations or not addressing conflict can become very frightening. Talking to a mediator is the first step in dealing with your difficulties.
• it could help you decide on what course of action you want to take next, even if that is not mediation.

When does Mediation work?

One of the strengths of mediation is that people are able to solve their own difficulties. This works best when those in dispute are:

• taking part of their own free will
• prepared to be as honest and open as they can about the situation
• prepared to work with the other person to find a solution

Mediation works less well when:

• people feel coerced into taking part
• they have no reason to work out a future relationship
• there is a threat of physical violence
• one party is very intimidating for the other
• there is a need for a public/legal judgement.

For more information please call 07831 30 20 10 or click here to e-mail me

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