Instructions on how to use this guideline

This guideline provides a foundation for evidence-based care for individuals experiencing land-related conflicts. The Land Disputes Guideline contains 19 recommendations that support practitioners in their efforts to help people. The guideline follows the process from problem to solution and suggests ways for Practitioners to reach agreements in land-related issues.

As a local leader, lawyer, paralegal, mediator, or any other practitioner, you are required to follow the law. You should always rely on your expertise and experience and act accordingly in each case. All recommendations in the guideline are generalised and do not account for specific situations that may require exceptions. Therefore, a professional assessment on a case-by-case basis is essential to making the best possible decisions.

The Land Disputes Guideline for farmers and herders distinguishes itself from existing legal guidelines by combining evidence-based practices with local context. The recommendations are developed using a framework borrowed from medical research—specifically, the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) method for formulating research questions.

After gathering evidence via PICO, the strength of the recommendations is assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. This evidence-based approach is then integrated with research on 'what works' and local practices from both formal and informal systems.