The Referral Process

Why Mediation?
When is mediation most likely to be successful?
What sort of disputes can be referred?
How?
How it works
Costs

 

Why Mediation?

• Mediation is a way of dealing with disputes that helps people to reach an agreement that everybody is satisfied with.
  
  
• Two independent mediators facilitate the mediation process ensuring both parties have equal opportunities to speak, listen and negotiate, making sure any outcome is fair and realistic.
  
  
• This allows neighbours to communicate their feelings, facts and ideas for possible solutions in a safe, neutral, and structured environment. Anything discussed during a mediation session is completely confidential which encourages open communication.
  
  
• Mediation does not judge or blame those in dispute. Nor does mediation involve decisions being taken for people. Instead the process enables those involved to work towards an agreement that looks to the future rather than dwelling on the past and that suits the needs of everyone involved.

When is mediation most likely to be successful?

• Where a lack of communication between neighbours is a major part of their dispute
  
  
• Where those involved wish to resolve their dispute amicably themselves rather than through punitive or legal methods
  
  
• Where there is a dispute over basic facts or where one complaint has been followed by a counter complaint and it is not clear who is the victim and who is the perpetrator

The earlier the case is referred to Mediation Hertfordshire the more likely it is to be resolved

What sort of disputes can be referred?

Neighbourhood disputes including such issues as noise, boundaries, high hedges, parking, children’s’/teenage behaviour, rubbish, pets, etc.

How?

Agencies:

Email: using referral form

Telephone/Fax: 01442 268044/243402

Post: 3 Halsey Drive, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3SE

Individuals:

Please use contact link

Or phone 01442 268044/243402

How it works

The Referral

We take referrals from agencies such as Housing Associations, local councils and the Police.

We also take referrals directly from members of the public experiencing a disagreement with their neighbour.

Contacting the parties

We contact all parties to let them know we would like to visit them and to check their willingness to participate.

Initial appointments with the parties

Two volunteer mediators visit each party separately to build up a relationship, explain what mediation involves, establish key facts and important issues, explore options and decide what the parties will do next.

What happens next

either

Round Table/joint session mediation

If all parties agree, they are brought together in a neutral venue where, with the mediators’ help, they work towards an agreement. This agreement may be either written or verbal.

Or

Shuttle mediation

Parties communicate with their neighbours through the mediators, often from their homes but sometimes in a neutral venue. The mediators listen to the parties and help them to identify a way forward

Completion

Cases are closed when either an agreement/solution is reached

Or one of the parties is no longer willing to participate

Or it is agreed that Mediation has not been successful

Cases are monitored for a few weeks following mediation, after which the parties have an opportunity to complete an evaluation form about their experience.

Please note that waiting times for initial appointments will vary depending on demand.

Costs

Mediation Hertfordshire is a not for profit company with charitable objectives. Our service to neighbours in dispute is free to all residents of Dacorum Borough Council and St Albans District Council, however charges will apply outside these areas. A guide to these costs are listed below.

A CLS quality assured service