ABOUT

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It is easier to get into a dispute than to get out of one.

Once a person gets into a row, emotions flare up and things get said and done that can be

hard to un-say and un-do. It becomes difficult for either person to get out of the dispute.

And the longer the dispute goes on, the harder it can be to resolve it.

When this happens people need help to resolve matters. Mediation is a straightforward

and very satisfying way of resolving disputes.

 

Community mediation is a process in which qualified mediators help people to understand

their dispute and to work out a mutually acceptable solution.

Mediation is successful in helping to resolve four out of every five disputes (an 80% success

rate).

 

Mediation is less about what happened in the past and more about how people can live and

work together in the future.

The benefits of mediation include

 

• Speed – mediation can be arranged as soon as the disputants are ready

• There is little or no cost – voluntary contributions are requested

• It is private and confidential

• Only the disputants make the decisions – not anybody else

• it is voluntary – people can leave if they are not happy

• Mediation agreements are very strong and lasting.

 

Mediation is available for different situations including:-
 

• Community

• Elders

• Family

• Workplace

• Commercial

 

The legal system is unsuited to handling personal disputes (such as between neighbours)

because legal processes are adversarial. The legal system is about rights and wrongs and

finding winners and losers. The legal process can worsen relationships between people.

Mediation is a cooperative process. It tries to take the heat and emotion out of the dispute

and to find mutually acceptable solutions, Mediation results in people being winners and it

improves communications and relationships.

 

Mediation is a friendlier, easier and much less expensive way of resolving disputes.