• 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

Preparing for conciliation

Resolving difficult issues can take some thought and preparation. Clarifying the main issues and how you feel, as well as workable options that you can live with can assist discussion.

Thoughts and feelings can easily become confused. Taking some time to reflect on the other parties issues and feelings, and what might work for them as well is also a helpful part of preparation. Despite being a part of everyday life, conflict is often difficult to deal with.

There are some things to consider when becoming involved in a dispute.

Step 1:  Identify the issues

• Briefly describe the situation. What happened? When did it happen? Who else was involved? Is there a reason it happened?
• List concerns and why they are relevant.
• What might the other parties issues be? How could these issues be affecting them?

Step 2: The phone conciliation

• What result would be acceptable?
• What might the other party hope to acheive from the dispute resolution process?
• What other options could be suggested that might help to resolve the matter?

Step 3: Next steps

• What caused things to get to this stage?
• What could have been done differently?
• What are the consequences if the matter is not completely resolved?