Mediation under the Fire and Emergency Scheme
Mediation allows you to keep control over the resolution of your dispute.
You don’t have to reach any binding decisions unless you choose to. In both cases, an independent and neutral third party (the facilitator or mediator) helps the parties to a dispute to identify and solve problems and come to an agreed outcome of their own making.
FAQ
Find helpful information related to Mediation under the Fire and Emergency Dispute Resolution Scheme.
What is the difference between facilitation and mediation?
Facilitation is a process designed to make group problem and conflict solving easier or more likely to occur by improving members’ ability to deal directly with each other and work together effectively.
Mediation is a process in which the mediator serves as an intermediary between parties to help find a resolution that is acceptable to them. If you’re not sure which process will suit your needs, please contact our case management team, who will be more than happy to help.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a consensual, confidential and relatively informal process of managed negotiation. It is flexible and allows parties to come to their own resolution on a dispute, but it has a timetable and procedural structure that direct negotiation lacks.
The parties to a dispute use the services of a skilled and independent person (the mediator) to assist them to define the issues in dispute, to develop and explore settlement options, assess the implications of settlement options, and negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement of the dispute that meets their interests and needs. You can negotiate flexible and creative solutions that do not have to conform to strict legal rights or general community standards.
What does mediation involve?
At the start of the mediation, the mediator will speak with each party to discuss the issues and what process will be most suitable for your case.
Your process may involve:
- Phone conversations or emails with the mediator
- An exchange of information about the dispute
- Virtual or in-person meetings with the mediator – as a group or in separate sessions
The mediator’s role is generally to assist the parties to negotiate a settlement of their dispute without giving advice, expressing opinions or making decisions for them. Mediation aims to enable and empower the parties to negotiate and resolve their dispute rather than having a decision imposed on them by a court or an adjudicator.
What are the outcomes of mediation?
If the parties resolve some or all of the matters in dispute at mediation, the mediator will help you record the terms of your agreement in a Settlement Agreement. Unless you agree otherwise, the Settlement Agreement will be binding, which means you and the other parties must comply with it.
The outcomes of mediation are determined by the parties. However, if a party is dissatisfied with the mediation process or the parties fail to reach agreement on all matters in dispute, they can ask ICRA to refer the disputed matters to adjudication.
Next steps
Got questions?
Contact our Registry team who can help you to identify the right solution to your problem.
Fire and Emergency Dispute Resolution Scheme
The Fire and Emergency Dispute Resolution Scheme is available to help members of the public and volunteers resolve disputes with Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Ready to Apply?
Fill in the Fire and Emergency Dispute Resolution Scheme Application Form.
Get in touch
Fill in the form to contact our team to see how we can help or get in touch with us with either of the following:
Freephone: 0508 ICRA REVIEW (427 273 8439)
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30AM to 5:00PM (excl. public holidays)