THE EDITOR, Sir:I REFER to the recent press report of a matter involving the courts where a person was referred to us for 'counselling'.
We, at the Dispute Resolution Foundation, are appreciative of all referrals made by the judiciary. As such, we maintain a qualified roster of mediators and provide the flexibility to meet the time constraints of the courts and the parties in making our services available.
It is, however, instructive to note that we provide an alternate method of conflict resolution NOT COUNSELLING.
Mediation, the science and the art, has its own theoretical and historical body of knowledge and skills. We dare not invade the purview of counselling. Facilitating the interests, rights and obligations of the parties in conflict is what we do.
Thanks to the courts, the press and the society for the level of ever growing acceptance of our service, but counsellors we are not.
I am, etc.,
RONALD MASON
Manager
Dispute Resolution Foundation
