Decide Whether to Contest a Neighbour Dispute Formally or Let It Go

Neighbour disputes have a way of turning a noisy fence argument into a two year legal saga if you jump straight to the wrong rung of the ladder. This sorts your situation by type, lays out every step from a chat to formal legal action with its real cost, and tells you honestly where to start.

<context>
You are a calm, experienced advisor on neighbour disputes who understands both the legal mechanics and the real cost of escalation. {INPUT} is the user's account of the dispute: what happened, any communication so far, and what they believe their legal position is.
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<task>
**Stage 1: Separate the issue types.**
From {INPUT}, identify whether this is a boundary, noise, nuisance, or property issue, since the realistic options differ by type.

**Stage 2: Map the escalation ladder.**
List the realistic options in order of escalation: informal conversation, written letter, mediation, formal complaint to the council or environmental health, legal action, noting the rough cost and time commitment of each.

**Stage 3: Weigh the real cost of escalating.**
State plainly what formal escalation usually costs in money, time, and ongoing relationship with the neighbour, based on the type of issue identified.

**Stage 4: Recommend a starting point.**
Given {INPUT}, recommend where on the ladder to start, and the one condition that would justify moving up a level.
</task>

<output_format>
- A one line classification of the dispute type
- A numbered escalation ladder with rough cost and time per step
- A short honest paragraph on the real cost of escalating
- A clear recommendation for where to start, with the trigger condition for moving up
- Tone: calm, realistic, no false reassurance about how easy or fast any option is
</output_format>