What is mediation?

Mediation is an impartial, independent and confidential process that helps two or more people, or groups of people, who are in disagreement or conflict with each other over any issue, to come to a solution that benefits those parties both now and in the future.

Mediation involves trained mediators who facilitate the process and create an environment where both sides can reach agreement in a fair and open manner.
Mediation can work well if both parties engage in the process and both parties are committed to wanting to resolve the issue.
Mediation is not suitable if either party is looking for enforcement or legal action.

Mediation is confidential, we will not reveal what is said by a party about another party nor will we reveal the discussions which take place during the mediation meetings. We ask our clients to keep to the same rules and not discuss the contents of any mediation meeting discussions with anyone outside of the process. We are at liberty to let any referrer or involved party know what stage a case has reached and the outcome status but any agreement reached will not be shared outside of the parties involved unless they specifically request it.

What issues can mediation help with in the community?

Mediation can be used for almost any type of dispute.
EMS mainly specialises in helping people with issues connected to their homes and communities. Therefore if you and your neighbour or landlord are in disagreement over:
• Noise
• Behaviour
• Rubbish
• Pets
• Damage to property
• Harassment
• Boundaries, fences and shared areas
• Clash of lifestyles/cultures
then we can help you.

We may also be able to provide training/help if the dispute is in the workplace or we can also help schools to provide mediation training to pupils.

How does mediation work?

Mediation is open to you if you want to communicate/reach an agreement with a neighbour, landlord or tenant or other person in your community over issues that you have which are causing, or are likely to cause, conflict.

Mediation is voluntary and so we encourage both parties to participate willingly.

Mediation is not legally binding and not directive. It is entered into in good faith.

Our mediators are there to act as facilitators, to listen and assist those people involved to engage in constructive discussion with a view to finding a mutually acceptable outcome.
They will not judge, direct, take enforcement action or take sides.

Who are the mediators ?

Anyone with good listening and communication skills, who can relate to the community and work with people from different backgrounds, can train to be a mediator.
All our mediators are volunteers and must have completed our basic mediation skills course or a similar recognised community mediation training course.
Most of our mediators have a West London connection. All our mediators have been independently assessed/supervised by our experienced supervision staff.
The Service provides training and then offers experience in community mediation casework.
EMS ensures that every mediator receives sufficient training, supervision and support to enable them to carry out their role professionally.
Our mediators do not take sides, make judgements or give opinions on the people or issue. Neither are they legal advisors and they never tell people what to do.
Instead they help clients to work together to create a solution that improves everybody’s lives.