Jonas Gerlach new arbitrator for district I in the municipality of Bestwig

Doris Goß, Director of the Meschede District Court, swore Jonas Gerlach into his new office in the town hall - in the presence of Mayor Ralf Péus, his general deputy Roland Burmann and Marvie Krämer, who is responsible for arbitration in the municipal administration, among other things. Jonas Gerlach found out that the municipality of Bestwig was looking for a new arbitrator via an Instagram post: "Why not? - You can't do it without voluntary work," he said to himself.

The task of an arbitrator

Bringing people who have forgotten how to talk to each other back into dialogue - that is the actual task of an arbitrator. Especially in smaller legal disputes, this provides the opportunity to reach an agreement - all parties involved can end a dispute with their heads held high. Arbitration proceedings are therefore not about winning or losing, but about finding a solution:

"Legal peace is thus promoted and conflicts are resolved."
Doris Goß

In the form of mediators, the principle of arbitration has now even found its way into the judiciary.

Arbitration as an opportunity

Courts and lawyers also often refer disputants to the arbitrator - in some proceedings, the attempt to reach an out-of-court settlement is even mandatory, emphasises Doris Goß. Only if this project fails can the case go to court. However, experience shows that in many cases the arbitrator is able to reach an agreement. The outgoing arbitrator Hubert Strube also emphasises that it is important that the parties involved are open to a solution - arbitration must be seen as an opportunity. On the one hand, to resolve conflicts that often have a long history "under the surface". And also for financial reasons:

"Arbitration is considerably cheaper than litigation in court."
Hubert Strube

Civic engagement in the best sense of the word

Mayor Ralf Péus also thanked Hubert Strube for his many years of commitment and wished his successor Jonas Gerlach a good hand. At the same time, he promised him the support of the municipal administration for his task: "Working as an arbitrator is civic engagement in the best sense of the word." Further information on arbitrators can also be found on the Bestwig municipal website at www.bestwig.de in the "Politics, Administration & Citizen Services" section.