KINGSTOWN – The Government of Canada funded Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) Project is beginning to offer community mediation services in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines! These services will be offered by trained mediators Mrs. Mandella Peters and Mrs. Cheryl Bailey at the following address: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Community Mediation Service Point, Bonadie’s Plaza, Upstairs Bonadie’s Supermarket (No. 2), Egmont Street, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
At the Official Launch on February 18, 2020, Professor Velma Newton, CBE, SCM, Regional Project Director of IMPACT Justice, Attorney General Jaundy O. R. Martin and Mediator Mandella Peters highlighted the benefits of community mediation for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
WHAT IS COMMUNITY MEDIATION? Community Mediation is a voluntary process through which persons in a dispute, with the help of a neutral third party who is a mediator, reach a mutually agreed solution to their dispute. The process is strictly confidential and much quicker and cost effective than court proceedings.
WHY INTRODUCE COMMUNITY MEDIATION IN SAINT VINCENT? Community mediation will serve to:
- divert cases from the court system;
- to resolve disputes before they escalate; and
- to maintain harmony in the community.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW? All parties to the dispute must agree to undergo the mediation process. The mediation session usually lasts for about three hours. Community mediation services will assist with the resolution of matters including:
- hire purchase disputes;
- homeowners’ disputes;
- family and relationship disputes;
- juvenile conflicts;
- landlord and tenant conflicts; and
- conflicts between neighbours.
Please contact the IMPACT Justice Community Mediation Service Point at 1 784 531 6881 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or the IMPACT Justice Office in Barbados at info@caribbeanimpact.org or 1-246-230-6684 / 1-246-417-4651/2 for further information.
