After the excitement of last week’s National Mediation Competition (well done to the winners from the West of England University by the way) this week we look again at where mediation is being brought into effect to help neighbours, both in terms of international relations and those on your doorstep.
Firstly to the middle east where David Meidan, advisor on prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that a prisoner swap would only be possible with the involvement of an international mediator.
Mr Meidan added that Egypt was the only choice for such a mediator “The issue of the Israeli soldiers would be resolved when there is an active mediator. Currently, Egypt is the sole choice. When they feel they are the choice, they will find the way to speak to Hamas.”
There is often a price to pay in mediation whether it be money, time or pride and as far as Israel is concerned Mr Meidan confirmed “We have experience about the price to be paid by Israel for a potential swap…At the end, Israel must release Palestinian prisoners in a swap with the Israeli prisoners held in Gaza… Such a swap could include a humanitarian angle, which is facilitating the Israeli siege on Gaza.”
Meanwhile over in Singapore online mediation is now available for neighbours at war.
Through an e-mediation function the parties in any neighbour dispute can try to resolve their dispute without the involvement of the court.
An electronic case filing and management system was launched last year as part of the State Courts’ Community Justice and Tribunals System. The system will allow parties to withdraw their claims while in mediation or apply online for a consent order once their dispute is resolved.
A press release from the court said "Parties who wish to file a neighbour dispute claim at the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) can now file online any time and anywhere with an Internet connection.
"Parties can take an online pre-filing assessment to find out if their claims fall within the jurisdiction of the CDRT, submit their documents online, select their court date and make payments online. Parties will also be able to view documents submitted by the other party and monitor their case developments online."
As with all mediations this will save parties time, stress and costs as they can do everything online including communication with their mediator.
Northwest Mediation has carried out e-mediations in the past when requested, the circumstances are little different to those involved in telephone mediations (which we also do) and can involve Skype calls, emails and multiparty calls where agreed and progressive.
Mediation is cheaper, quicker and less stressful than running any case to court, it can help with any dispute whether it's with a neighbour, an employment issue, the sale at an under value of a property, family issues, commercial disputes or inheritance arguments contact Northwest Mediation on 07931318347 or via email at ed.johnson@northwestmediation.co.uk
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