What mediation is
Often disputes between neighbours bring out strong feelings that can make it difficult for those involved to co-operate with each other in trying to resolve a problem. Issues like noise, anti-social behaviour, pets and boundary problems can lead to ill-feeling between neighbours.
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that uses a neutral third party to guide disputants towards finding a solution to their problems
Mediation is not about deciding who is right or wrong, or what should or should not have happened in the past.
Mediation aims to:
- improve the present situation
- remove the stress and unhappiness that disputes can cause
How mediation works
Mediation has the following process:
- a mediator will visit each party involved and listen to their view of the problem
- if everyone is willing to try to find ways of improving things a joint meeting will be held in a neutral place with three mediators present
- each household will have a chance to say what they need to without interruption
- the mediator will help to find a solution which each household can agree to
- the agreement is written down as a reminder
Brighton & Hove Independent Mediation Service
Brighton & Hove Independent Mediation Service can be contacted directly or you could be referred by:
- a Housing Officer
- Environmental Health Officer
- the police
Find out more about the local independent mediation service for Brighton & Hove.