Falkirk Council recognise that neighbour disputes are not unusual and that they can have a very serious affect on peoples quality of life and enjoyment of their homes.
As part of Falkirk Council's "Neighbour Nuisance" Strategy we provide a very successful Mediation Service, the first in-house Mediation Service to be established in Scotland. Since establishing the Service in 1996 we have helped people to resolve difficulties with their neighbour and build strong, interactive communities.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process. For mediation to be effective neighbours must demonstrate a willingness and a desire to resolve the situation.
Mediation is a step by step process.
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Specially trained Mediators work as an impartial third party to help people to communicate and reach their own agreements.
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Mediation is an equal process; everyone is treated equally and fairly. Each person will have the opportunity to be listened to and to hear the other persons point of view.
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The mediation process provides a safe environment for you to discuss concerns and work towards a better future.
The Mediation Service is:
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Independent and impartial
We will not judge who is right or wrong or tell you how to resolve the situation.
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Free
You have nothing to lose, unlike legal proceedings we offer a free service.
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Confidential
We are a confidential service with the exception of information relating to child protection, fraudulent or criminal activities.
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Specialist
The Mediators are highly skilled and professionally trained.
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Committed
We are committed to providing a quality service to meet your needs.
The benefits of mediation:
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You can achieve practical agreements that you can live with through mediation.
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The mediation process empowers you to reach the agreements that you and your neighbour want. It is you and your neighbour that have to live together. Therefore you reach the agreement that will work for you.
Who should I contact if I want to use the Mediation Service?
In the first instance you should report any problems you are having with neighbours to your local Neighbourhood office|. The Neighbourhood officer will investigate the situation and if it is thought that mediation would be a way to resolve the prolem they will make a referral to the Mediation Service.
What happens after a referral has been made to the Mediation Service?
When we receive a referral from the local Neighbourhood office, we will telephone or write to you to arrange a suitable time to visit you at home. If you agree to proceed we will write to your neighbour and suggest an appointment to visit them also.
Home visits
At the home visit we will hear your view of the situation, listen to what you would like for the future and discuss how we can help. After the home visits, if everyone is agreeable we will move on to a . . .
Joint mediation session
The mediators will meet you and your neighbour together at our office; we can provide transport and childcare if needed. At the meeting the Mediators will help you and your neighbour to share information and hopefully reach an amicable resolution.
Shuttle diplomacy
When appropriate, the mediators can offer shuttle mediation as an alternative to a joint mediation session. The mediators will help you and your neighbour exchange information, through the mediators to help you to resolve the situation. The neighbours do not meet or communicate directly.
Noise level setting
Sometimes neighbours are unaware of what is an acceptable level of noise, if required, the mediators can work together with you and your neighbour to reach an acceptable level of volume for the television, hi-fi or games equipment. The mediators do not decide if the noise is acceptable or not, you and your neighbour will agree on what is acceptable.