Conciliation conferences
Utilities Disputes uses conciliation conferences as one of the ways of resolving complaints. A conciliation conference is a meeting on the phone or in person with you and the provider. A Utilities Disputes conciliator facilitates the meeting. You may choose to have a support person with you.
UDL is committed to delivering a dispute resolution process that meets the needs of all those who seek our help to resolve a complaint. We have partnered with the Tūhono Collective to provide a tikanga-based Māori dispute resolution framework for resolving disputes using Māori beliefs, principles, values and practices that derive from traditional knowledge (mātauranga Māori).
Please contact us to further discuss this and how we can assist you.
What you can expect from a conciliation conference
Most conciliation conferences resolve complaints during the meeting or soon after. Here’s the short version of what you can expect:
- Utilities Disputes arranges a conciliation conference on almost every complaint file
- Conciliation conferences are not recorded. This enables a full and frank discussion
- The conciliator assigned to the file independently facilitates the conciliation conference
- The conciliator negotiates the time and date with you and the provider
- The conciliator prepares you and the provider for the conciliation conference before the day
- Conciliation conferences follow a clear process and can be formal or informal:
Informal - If it's an informal process we will discuss how the conference should proceed with both parties when preparing for the conference, which will be more like an informal meeting.
Formal - If it’s a formal conference will follow a more traditional mediation model with a set agenda and time set aside for both sides to speak and discuss the issues, before we explore various options for resolving the complaint.
If you’d like to hear more about conciliation conferences please contact us.