About neighbourhood mediation
You have the right to live in a peaceful neighbourhood. While disputes and disagreements between neighbours can happen, they should be resolved quickly and respectfully.
You should try to resolve a dispute between yourselves before you apply for mediation. Try approaching your neighbour or using the how to resolve neighbourhood disputes tool. If you find a solution, it’s a good idea to write down the details and arrange to meet in the future to see how things are going.
If talking or other attempts to communicate with your neighbour do not work, mediation might help.
On this page
What is neighbourhood mediation?
Neighbourhood mediation is a structured meeting with your neighbour that is guided by one or two trained and accredited mediators. The mediators are impartial, meaning they don’t take sides.
If you’re having a disagreement over a tree, dividing fence, noise or pets, our Dispute Resolution Centres offer free mediation services to help you manage your dispute without going to court.
Confidentiality
We are committed to keeping your information private and confidential. However, under the Dispute Resolution Centres Act 1990, we may sometimes be required to share your information. This includes, for example, when a law requires that we share it. Other than this, we will only disclose your information to third parties with your consent.
How mediation can help
Mediators guide the conversation to help you and your neighbour discuss your differences, voice any concerns, and find solutions that work for both of you.
The solution is one that you and your neighbour agree on. It is not imposed on you by anyone else.
The benefits of our mediation include:
- Mediation can save you time, legal fees and court costs.
- Our services operate under the DRC Act providing many legal protections for you, your neighbour and our mediators.
- Our mediators are trained, neutral and fair.
- What you say in mediation is handled with care and respect.
- Mediation does not prevent you from looking for other legal solutions.
What a mediator does
Mediators are impartial (do not take sides).They set basic rules and expectations to ensure the mediation process is respectful, fair, and balanced.
Mediators:
- guide you and your neighbour through discussions about your concerns and issues to find solutions that may be acceptable to both of you
- are impartial (remain neutral)
- create an environment where you can both be heard equally
- ensure discussions don’t get out of control
- break the problem down into manageable issues
- make sure that all relevant issues are covered
- help you and your neighbour discuss options to resolve the dispute
- help you write down the details of any agreement you reach.
What a mediator doesn't do
Mediation is not a legal process.
Mediators do not:
- give legal advice
- decide who is right or wrong
- make a decision for you
- suggest what should happen after the mediation
- force you to reach an agreement.
How to apply
You can apply online or contact one of our Dispute Resolution Centres to arrange mediation.
If you contact a Dispute Resolution Centre, staff will collect some details about the dispute and ask for your neighbour’s contact details.
Getting referred
Alternatively, you can be referred to mediation by:
- a community organisation
- a private solicitor
- a magistrate
- a counsellor
- Legal Aid Queensland.
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we will assess if the matter is suitable for mediation.
If it is, our staff will contact your neighbour and explain how neighbourhood mediation works.
We may also contact you to:
- ask for more details about your dispute
- provide you with more information about the mediation process
- answer any questions you have.
How to make the most of mediation
The best way to make the most of your session is to:
More information
- Check out the how to resolve neighbourhood disputes online tool.
- Read a step-by-step guide for resolving tree and fence disputes with neighbours.
- Discover ways to approach your neighbour about a dispute.