The Hong Kong Council of Social Service is going
to collaborate with the Hong Kong Mediation Council (HKMC) in launching
a one-year pilot project to provide free support services to our agency
members. Qualified mediators of HKMC would help our agency members in
providing community mediation service.
HKMC, a division of the Hong Kong International
Arbitration Centre, is a NGO supported by the Government, aiming at promoting
the message of resolving disputes through mediation. The organisation
has more than 200 trained and qualified voluntary mediators coming from
different professions such as legal, construction, accounting and planning
sectors. In the past, they have promoted mediation services in the construction
and insurance industries.
Agency members may have to handle disputes involving
neighbour relations, contract terms, employment terms and environment,
etc when providing services. In facing issues relating to urban redevelopment,
demolition of unauthorized buildings and providing assistance to labours,
social workers may experience role conflicts. They should on the one hand
protect the rights of vulnerable groups, but remain neutral on the other
hand. If mediators and social workers could have cross-professional cooperation,
social workers may be able to play their roles and uphold social justice
more effectively.
When will the scheme start?
Who can apply for community mediation service?
How to apply for the service? Where to make enquiries?
When will the applicant be notified about the result? Will
the application be rejected?
What is the qualification of mediators? How many mediators
will be present?
Where will the appointment be arranged?
Is Community Mediation Service a paid service?
How many sessions will be arranged?
Could the applicant request for additional mediation service?
Could the service be terminated during the mediation process?
How to give comments on the service?
When will the scheme start?
This one-year scheme will start from May 1, 2002 and 50 cases are expected
to be handled. The project may be extended according to the needs.
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Who can apply for community mediation service?
- Legal Hong Kong residents
- Any parties in a dispute can apply for the service either directly
or through referees or referral agencies (e.g. social service agency).
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How to apply for the service? Where to make enquiries?
Please complete and return the attached application form to the Hong
Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS). Please use additional sheets or
provide other documents if necessary.
The application will be forwarded to Hong Kong Mediation Council (HKMC)
within 7 working days after verifying information provided by the applicant
or agency.
HKMC will arrange an appointment with the applicant within 14 working
days after receiving the application.
For enquiries, please call 2864 2948.
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When will the applicant be notified about the
result? Will the application be rejected?
According to the process of handling application, the applicant will
be notified by HKMC within 21 working days to arrange for a meeting.
The applicant will also be notified within 21 working days if HKMC considers
the case to be not suitable for mediation.
Mediators will assess the case during the first meeting with the applicant.
If the case is considered not suitable for mediation, the service will
be terminated.
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What is the qualification of mediators? How many
mediators will be present?
HKMC has over 200 trained and qualified mediators from different professions
such as legal, construction, accounting and planning sectors, etc.
After receiving the application, HKMC will study the nature of the case
and assign mediators suitable for the case.
HKMC recommends co-mediation, especially for multi-party disputes.
If the applicant has special requirements about the mediator, please
specify on the application form. However, HKMC will make the final decision
according to the nature of the case and the related resources.
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Where will the appointment be arranged?
If there is a referral agency, the appointment will be arranged at the
office of the agency.
If there is no referral agency, the appointment will be arranged in a
neutral premises acceptable by the parties. The applicant can also specify
the venue on the application form.
HKCSS can arrange to rent premises from its agency members and arrange
appointments if necessary.
The rental fee of the venue should be borne by both or either one of
the parties involved.
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Is Community Mediation Service a paid service?
The service user will not be charged by HKMC, HKCSS and the related
referral agency.
However, the applicant should pay $50 as travelling expenses to the mediator
during the first meeting upon signing the contract for mediation. The
fee also shows the applicant's commitment of using the service. The fee
should be paid the parties jointly or singly.
In case of financial difficulty, exemption from paying the fee may be
considered upon request by the applicant.
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How many sessions will be arranged?
No more than three sessions will be arranged for each case with each
one not lasting for more than two hours. HKMC will not extend the mediation
under general circumstances.
Besides utilizing resources efficiently, the above-mentioned arrangement
aims at setting clear objective for the parties to complete the mediation
within the designated period.
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Could the applicant request for additional mediation
service?
According to the experience of HKMC, under general circumstances, a
settlement could be reached within the designated period.
If necessary, the applicant can request for additional mediation service,
but subject to the discretion of the individual mediator. HKMC, HKCSS
and the referral agency will not be responsible for any additional services.
The additional service should be paid by the applicant. The charges for
Family Mediation Service in Family Court (HK$600 per hour) can serve as
a reference.
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Could the service be terminated during the mediation
process?
The mediation service will be provided with the consent from the parties.
The parties or either of the parties can terminate the service during
the mediation process.
The mediator can terminate the service if necessary.
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How to give comments on the service?
Please send the comments to HKMC or HKCSS.
The mediator would request the parties of the cases and the referral
agency to complete an evaluation form so as to solicit the views of service
users and improve the service.
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