Local Laws Officers often find themselves mediating and resolving disputes between neighbours in the normal course of their Law Enforcement duties.

Because Local Laws Officers are often able to resolve complaints that may give rise to neighbourhood disputes, the general public believe that all neighbourhood disputes can be dealt with by Local Laws Officers.

This unfortunately is not the case and property disputes between neighbours over matters such as boundary fences and overhanging trees/shrubs are 'civil' matters which should be dealt with privately. To assist with the satisfatory resolution of such disputes the Victorian Dispute Settlement Centre offers a free advisory and mediation service for many neighbourhood disputes.

Further information on the mediation of neighbourhood disputes can be obtained on the internet at: www.justice.vic.gov.au/disputes