Brighton and Hove Independent Mediation Service

What is the process of mediation?

Step 1: Deciding to Try Mediation

If you have a problem you can approach us directly via phone, by email or by letter. The Mediation Service will contact you to discuss to arrange a mutually convenient time and date for two Mediators to visit you in your home or a neutral venue. An appointment will be made to visit the other people involved.

Step 2: The Initial Visits
During the initial visits we explain about Mediation and listen carefully and sensitively to all of the concerns. The Mediators encourage both sides to come to a Mediation Session. The Mediators are trained to listen to all views of the problem. They will not judge, take sides or give advice but will help the parties pinpoint the important problems and encourage them to think about ways in which they can be resolved.

They won't pass on anything you have said to the other party without your permission.

Step 3: An opportunity for discussion and problem-solving
If everyone is willing, the Mediators will arrange a safe, neutral place for you all to meet together at a time convenient to everyone involved to try and find a solution to the problem. If no one wants to meet face to face the mediators will arrange 'shuttle' mediation, where they go between you to reach an agreement.

Step 4, the Face to Face Meeting:
During a Joint Meeting, both parties have a chance to talk without interruption . Part of the agreement is to show respect for each other and to avoid any abusive language. The aim is to assist you all in finding a solution which everyone can accept. The agreement made is yours - the Mediators just help you to reach it. Any agreement is signed by everyone present (although it is not legally binding).

The mediators help you reach agreements that meet everyone's concerns and that both sides to the dispute can accept. They write the agreements down and both neighbours sign and keep an identical copy.

Step 5: Following up:
The Service will make contact after an agreed period of time to see if the agreement is working out as planned or whether some further help is required.