Mediation

Extract

Mediation is a process, involving a neutral, independent, trained facilitator. A mediator assists parties with differences to communicate effectively, understand the underlying issues, assess risk and consider options to enable them to resolve their differences.

There has been a growing interest in the application of mediation in a planning context. In 2008 the Scottish Government, as part of a wide ranging reform of the planning system, commissioned a users guide to assist those with an interest in its application in this context.

During 2010, the Scottish Government commissioned a qualified and experienced mediator to provide mediation support in three individual planning disputes and invited participants making use of mediation to take part in this study. The pilot project outputs are:

• an output paper setting out the findings of the pilot project;
• and the three case study evaluations.

An Outline for Potential Participants is also available.