• Self resolution
  • Knowing your rights and responsibilities
  • Keeping records
  • Communicating
  • Support and assistance
  • Self Resolution Checklist
• The Dispute Resolution Service
  • Matters not suitable for conciliation
  • Applying for dispute resolution
  • Preparing documents for conciliation
  • The role of the conciliator
  • Preparing for conciliation
• Handling tenancy disputes in the Small Claims Tribunal
  • Introduction
  • Options for resolving disputes
  • Role of the Small Claims Tribunal
  • Applying to a Small Claims Tribunal
  • The hearing
  • After the hearing

Communicating

When communicating with the other party involved in a dispute, it is important to:

• talk with the other party as soon as there is a concern
• express views clearly and listen to what the other person has to say.
• try to understand the other parties point of view
• ensure that each party understands what the problem is
• try to break overwhelming problems down into small, more manageable issues and work through them one one at a time
• explore a range of options to best resolve the matter, including whether or not there are some compromises which can be made
• keep talking and listening until there is a solution or until a mutual solution cannot be reached
• remember that it is always possible to set another time to go back and continue negotiations if the issues aren't getting resolved.

Don't forget the importance of putting everything said into writing. 

Some of the benefits of good communication are:

• a quicker result for all parties and no waiting times incurred
• feeling less stressed by dealing with the other party
• avoiding the need to attend or pay for a court hearing.

If conflict arises

When there is a dispute that is difficult to resolve quickly, communication often breaks down. Very few people like conflict. It is difficult, emotional and people can often inflame the problem without meaning to. If this happens, don't give up. Stop and take a break. Taking a break can help to see the problem from a different perspective and provides some time to come up with a solution.

Remember the tips for resolving a dispute and arrange another time to talk. Try to keep communicating. Negotiating issues is an ongoing process.

More information

The Dispute Resolution Branch of the Department of Justice, provides a number of helpful tips that may assist with a difficult conflict.