"You have been active as an arbitrator in our district for the longest time," emphasized Katja Stößel, judge at Salzgitter district court, and thanked Hans-Georg Schmidt for his special commitment. As an arbitrator, he helps people in dispute and mediates between the parties involved. As the longest-serving arbitrator in Salzgitter, he has a great deal of knowledge and also contributes his life and professional experience to this important honorary office. "Keep up the good work," said the judge.

Councillor Eric Neiseke thanked Hans-Georg Schmidt on behalf of the city of Salzgitter for his commitment and for the good cooperation. "You do a lot of good for our society," he emphasized. This honorary office for the community requires particular knowledge of human nature, communication skills, impartiality and neutrality and is important for mediating between disputants and finding a solution. "You live the motto 'mediating instead of judging' in your voluntary work in a very practical way," said the city councillor.

Hans-Georg Schmidt succeeds in doing this in around 90 percent of his cases. Most of the concerns from "his" district 4 (Salzgitter-Bad, Gitter, Ringelheim, Hohenrode, Groß Mahner, Barum, Beinum, Flachstöckheim, Lobmachtersen, Ohlendorf) are often neighborhood disputes such as disturbing hedge or tree growth on property boundaries, construction of garden fences, noise pollution, defamation, etc.. He has to deal with a wide variety of people who call him because they want to be right. "Come and see me. Then we'll discuss it," says Hans-Georg Schmidt to the callers. In the subsequent discussions, the aim is to understand the facts of the case, remove the emotionality and find a solution that the parties involved can live with. "I really enjoy doing this," emphasizes the arbitrator, even though it hasn't become any easier in recent years. He coordinates with his deputy Michael Heidenblut and takes him along to his cases.

As a balance to his honorary office, Hans-Georg Schmidt likes to get out into nature and is involved in other clubs in Flachstöckheim. He thanked the city of Salzgitter, which is responsible for the organizational support of the arbitrators, and the district court, which is responsible for supervision.