More than a year after the Government mooted the idea of mandating mediation for feuding neighbours, a six-week public consultation exercise has found that views are mixed as to whether this would be the best way forward, with some mediators consulted saying that mandatory mediation might undermine the ethos of such a process. And while a tribunal will be set up by the second half of this year to hear such cases before a judge, those who gave feedback felt adjudication should be the last resort and “upstream measures” are more important. With respondents agreeing that “upstream measures” to resolve disputes early were important, the MCCY said this could include strengthening public education efforts and improving frontline responses.... Continue Reading