Alternative way to settle disputes
Disputes are, sadly, a fact of life but what happens when it gets so serious you need to bring in outside help to sort things out?
Mediation is one solution which is proving invaluable to people from all walks of life and today, as Mediation Awareness Week is launched by the government, registered Maidenhead mediator Bob Shire explains what his job entails.
He said: “How many people can say that they never have and never will be involved in a serious dispute? Conflict, whether it involves people or organisations, is an inevitable part of life. Almost always disputes consume energy and money and can be stressful and time-consuming. Even minor incidents can escalate into serious conflict involving court action and even physical violence.”
Mediation is a way of settling disputes before they escalate into costly court action. The way it works is that the people involved in the dispute settle their differences with the help of a qualified, independent person known as a mediator – an increasingly acknowledged form dispute resolution alternative to litigation in the courts.
Bob added: “Mediation can help resolve almost any kind of dispute, within families or communities, between neighbours, work colleagues or companies. For example Family Mediation helps couples at any stage of separation or divorce to deal with the care of children, or with property and financial matters. Community Mediation can help solve conflict between neighbours and similarly workplace mediation can address disagreements in the office.
By maintaining strict neutrality, mediators focus on improving understanding and encouraging communication between the people involved.
Their aim is to facilitate a negotiated settlement through joint and/or individual meetings with the parties. Any information divulged in private is treated in the strictest confidence.”
Contact Bob Shire on bob@shire-mediation.co.uk or 01628 623555.