Mediation to resolve neighbour disputes

Are you having a dispute with your neighbour?

Arguments between neighbours can sometimes get out of hand. These often get worse the longer things are left. Mediation brings neighbours together to try and sort out the dispute as quickly as possible.

Do you feel it is getting out of hand?
Do you want to improve your relationship with your neighbour?
Are you willing to let someone help you both sort out your differences?

If the answer is yes, then mediation may be the way forward.

What sort of disputes can be dealt with by mediation?

There are many causes of disputes between neighbours. These are just a few examples: Noise, Litter, Parking, Children's play, Pets, Boundaries.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a way of dealing with disputes that aims to help the people involved to reach an agreement that satisfies everyone.

Problems can be sorted out without the expense of going to court.

Resolve Mediation Service is a community mediation service that has been set up to help neighbours find a way of improving things.

We are an independant organisation and offer a FREE confidential service to people in Cumbria.

All information is confidential, unless mediators are concerned for someone's safety.

Who are the mediators?

Mediators are specially trained volunteers who have completed a training course in mediation skills.

They don't take sides. They are only interested in helping all parties find a solution that suits everyone involved in the dispute.

What can mediators do?

Mediators always work in pairs.
They visit all parties involved.
They arrange for the parties to meet, or carry messages between them.
They will help the parties to find areas of agreement and help them resolve their dispute.

What happens during mediation?

Before a mediation meeting starts, the mediators will explain the process and ask everyone to agree to some basic rules, such as listening without interrupting.

Each person is free to talk about the problem as it affects them. The mediators will try to make sure that everyone understands what has been said and they will give time for each party to respond.

The mediators will then help the people involved to identify the issues that need to be sorted out and to explore what could be done to make things better. Searching for solutions like this can lead to ideas no-one had thought of before.

A written agreement can be drawn up and all parties will get a copy.