The city of Salzgitter is looking for people interested in this important honorary position in the four districts.

Arbitrator Ulrike Donat has just mediated between two neighbors who were arguing about the height of a tree: One wants sunshine on his patio; the other doesn't want to cut the tree down. "First of all, it's good if both sides present the conflict from their point of view," says Ulrike Donat, who has been an arbitrator since 2013. The arbitrators are called upon to deal with disputes between neighbors and some criminal cases such as trespassing. This is mandatory in order to relieve the burden on the courts.

Talking to the arbitrator helps both sides because there is an open exchange about the problems and what may lie behind them. This changes the way people interact and view the conflict. "I provide help in dealing with the other party. Listening, summarizing, weighing things up, making suggestions," is how Ulrike Donat describes her voluntary work. For her, success means mediating between two disputants and reaching a compromise, which she achieves in 60 percent of her ten or so cases a year.

Anyone interested in the office should be experienced, communicative and enjoy dealing with people. The arbitrators approach conflicts objectively and without prejudice. The honorary office, which is important for the community, requires neutrality and impartiality. Further training and regular exchanges are just as much a part of this honorary office as an introductory event. Contact persons at the local court and the city of Salzgitter can also help. Newcomers can also be accompanied by an experienced arbitrator at the beginning.

"Anyone who gets involved as an arbitrator is taking on an important voluntary role for society," emphasizes Wolfram Skorczyk, Head of Citizen Services and Public Safety. The city of Salzgitter is the point of contact for organizational questions. Volunteers can contact the local court with any legal questions they may have. The work is subject to constant supervision by the local court. The city pays an annual flat-rate expense allowance for costs incurred in connection with the work as an arbitrator. All arbitrators are trained for their work and receive ongoing further training. The arbitrators receive a workbook with all the information they need when they start their role.

"We are looking for four arbitrators and four deputies," says Sven Tetzlaff, Head of the Council Affairs and IT Department of the City of Salzgitter and responsible for supporting the arbitrators and lay assessors. Interested parties can also indicate on their application if they would like to serve as a deputy for the time being (for example, if the main arbitrator is ill or on vacation). He will also be happy to answer any further questions about the arbitrators.

Ulrike Donat has already made up her mind: The honorary office would be an enrichment that she would like to continue. She has already submitted her application.

In Salzgitter, the following four arbitration districts are to be filled with arbitrators and deputies for the 2020 to 2024 election period.

District 1: localities of Bruchmachtersen, Salder, Fredenberg, Lebenstedt Section I, Section II and Section X, Reppner, Lesse, Lichtenberg, Osterlinde

District 2: Engelnstedt, Krähenriede, Alt-Lebenstedt and Lebenstedt without Section I, Section II and Section X

District 3: localities Hallendorf, Bleckenstedt, Sauingen, Üfingen, Beddingen, Thiede, Watenstedt, Drütte, Immendorf, Heerte, Gebhardshagen, Engerode, Calbecht

District 4: Bad, Barum, Beinum, Flachstöckheim, Gitter, Groß Mahner, Hohenrode, Lobmachtersen, Ohlendorf, Ringelheim

Anyone interested in the honorary office of arbitrator can apply by March 22 to: Stadt Salzgitter, Fachdienst Ratsangelegenheiten und IT, Bewerbung Schiedsamt, Joachim-Campe-Straße 6-8, 38226 Salzgitter.

The informal application should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae in tabular form. A police clearance certificate is required to determine the ability to hold public office. If such a certificate is not enclosed with the application, it is assumed that the applicant agrees to the City of Salzgitter requesting a police clearance certificate.

The applicant agrees that the application data may be passed on to the bodies entrusted with the selection (local council, council, City of Salzgitter, Salzgitter District Court, Association of German Arbitrators). The data may only be forwarded for the purpose of selecting applicants.

The application may be accompanied by further documents that provide additional information about the applicant's qualifications and professional performance.

If you would like to find out more in advance or have any questions, please contact Sven Tetzlaff: 05341/839-3866, e-mail: sven.tetzlaffstadt.salzgitterde (Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon; Thursday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

The honorary office of arbitrator can be held by citizens who are between 30 and 70 years old, have the capacity to hold public office, are not under guardianship with reservation of consent and live in the arbitration district. Arbitrators must be suitable for the office in terms of their personality and skills. They must be known in the residential area, have authority and be able to deal with the parties to the dispute in an impartial, objective and level-headed manner. In the event of disputes, the arbitrators talk to all parties involved and then try to mediate.

Tasks: Arbitrators are active in a wide range of areas, for example in disputes between neighbors, compliance with house rules, compensation for pain and suffering and other claims for damages, but also in cases of minor bodily injury, trespassing, insults or damage to property.

Appointments are made through an advertisement and selection process. The application phase for the 2020 to 2024 term of office is currently underway. The arbitrators (and their deputies) are elected by the city council for a five-year term.