Mediation

The Community Mediation Services Division considers that sustainable social transformation of our society and the achievement of social justice requires the permeation and pervasive presence of restorative behaviour throughout our society. Therefore, the division executes a number of initiatives which aim to encourage the adoption of behaviours that are consistent with the underpinning philosophy of mediation, restoration and peace building. These initiatives include peer mediation, conflict management training, leadership skills development, anger management, communication and interpersonal skills, these are among other programmes which are specially designed according to the needs of the particular organisation or community. These initiatives are supported by the practices of mediation, social work and other therapeutic interventions as well as the facilitation of difficult conversations in communities and special interest groups.

Our Services

Mediation Mediation is a process through which parties request a third neutral person (the mediator) to assist them in their attempt to reach an amicable settlement of their dispute. The mediator does not have the authority to impose upon the parties a solution to the dispute.

Social Work Practice Through our Social Work Specialists, the division assesses, evaluates and provides various therapeutic interventions which may include, individual and family counselling, home visits, referrals to other agencies and case conferencing according to the needs of the clients. The Social Work Specialists will conduct investigations, work with the clients to restore healthy functioning and provide guidance on matters or cases referred for mediation. They also follow-up with clients who have received services from the mediation centres.

Therapeutic Social Interventions Therapeutic Social Interventions seek to strengthen and empower citizens to help them become better versions of themselves through counselling and various skills training. The interventions are considered to be therapeutic as they focus on the healing of the individual and the family for the long-term. These interventions are incorporated in community-based programmes as follows:

  • Anger Management Programme
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Mentoring Programmes
  • Peer Mediation Programmes
  • Teen/Parent Issues
  • Parenting Support Groups

Under the current act, Community Mediation is available as a mechanism for negotiating the settlement of disputes in a wide variety of areas, such as:

  • Family and Relationship Disputes (eg. visitation rights, access, custody and maintenance)
  • Landlord/Tenant Disputes
  • Small Claims
  • Merchant/Consumer Disputes
  • Community Disputes
  • Neighbourhood Conflicts
  • Organizational/Workplace Conflicts
  • Juvenile Conflicts including truancy and delinquent children
  • Threat and harassment problems
  • Small contractors and Home Owners

List of Mediation Centres

Central Main Mediation Sub-Centre
#282 Old Southern Main Road, Warrenville
Phone: 693-2342/2955/2831/1606

Couva Mediation Sub-Centre
Social Services Delivery Building, Camden Road Couva
Phone: 679-3660

East Main Mediation Centre
3rd Floor, Upstairs Pennywise Building, 10A Devenish Street, Arima
Phone: 667-0266/5086/2257
Phone: 638-8133

North Main Mediation Centre
Jobco Building (1st Floor), 51-55 Frederick Street, Port of Spain
Phone: 625-6768/2819

Penal/Debe Mediation Sub-Centre
Phone: 758-7816

San Juan Mediation Sub-Centre
MTS Plaza, Aranguez Main Road, Aranguez
Phone: 638-8133