The first mediation using the new mediation service organised by the Jersey Legal Information Board has been successfully concluded.

Advocate David Cadin of Bedell Group, who is leading the project, is delighted to see that the service is being used to good effect. "Being locked into a dispute that you want to end, but can't, can affect people's lives and happiness," he said. "Private mediation gives people the option to resolve a dispute without a court process or having to pay a lawyer”.

It is hoped that by using the new service, which is being trialled by JLIB for an initial six months, disputes between neighbours and friends can be resolved quickly and to the parties’ satisfaction. Each party pays just £20 for a confidential session of up to two hours in which a trained mediator will help people involved in small scale disputes to discuss their problems and reach an agreement.

“Mediators don't decide the outcome of the mediation; their role is to help the parties reach their own agreement" explained Advocate Cadin. “ Neighbours who disagree over boundaries, parking spots or overhanging trees could find this service invaluable as well as landlords and tenants who cannot agree over the return of deposit monies”.

To view the Channel TV interview with David Cadlin please click here.

The service is being administered by the offices of the Citizens Advice Bureau in St Paul’s Gate, Dumaresq Street and anyone wanting more information should contact CAB on 724942.