Mediation

Gloucester City Homes (GCH) and Gloucester & District Citizens Advice Bureau (GlosCAB) have teamed up to provide a mediation service to our customers.

The Mediation Service is arranged by the GlosCAB but is separate to their usual function of giving advice, and is independent of GCH.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a confidential, impartial and non-judgemental service that can help to resolve disputes between neighbours. Mediation works best when each party is prepared to ‘give it a go’ and can often help sort out problems in early stages.

Mediators will not advise on law or on issues of fact but will help people to communicate with one another, and try to help find an answer, not to impose solutions.
By giving everyone the opportunity to explain their side of the story, and to talk without being interrupted, mediation can be very helpful when a situation is stuck.

Mediation can be performed face-to-face or via a go-between (shuttle mediation). At the end of the process the parties very often agree the terms of a settlement.

Why use mediation?

Mediation allows people to be heard. In many cases, a simple apology from either or both sides is all that is required to put the situation right. It is an empowering process that encourages people to put forward their own suggestions and ideas, and is less intimidating than legal procedures. People represent themselves rather than having someone speak for them.

How is mediation organised?

Initially, separate sessions are held with the parties in dispute. Each party is given the opportunity to tell the mediator everything that concerns them. The mediator will then talk about which concerns can be passed onto the other party, and may comment on ways in which progress can be made towards some sort of agreement.

If areas of agreement are found, the mediator will suggest a face-to-face meeting. Important things to remember in a face-to-face meeting are: listening without interrupting and not being offensive.

If there is some measure of agreement then this will be either verbally agreed or set out in a written agreement – whichever method is agreed by all parties involved. Following a positive outcome from the mediation, GlosCAB will inform GCH of the outcome if all parties agree, if not GlosCAB will simply inform GCH that no agreement had been given. If no agreement has been made a report will be made to GCH informing them of this outcome.