Mediation in the court dispute resolution
In February-March 2015 there second pilot project for the use of mediation in the resolution of civil disputes involving mediators of the Center of Mediation and Negotiation took place in the court of Minsk district. Mediators of the Centre were attracted as co-mediators for receiving practical experience in carrying out mediation.
Disputes related to labor relations, devision of property of spouses, recognition of the property right to a part of premises, consumer protection and others.
During the first pilot project the most complex and long cases were selected for mediation. In difference from this for the second project court selected 38 cases that were in the court proceedings not more than 5 months. The efficiency of the first project was 22% and an average term of dispute settlement – 9-10 hours.
Within the second project parties reached the agreement in 78% of disputes (21 from 27 cases). In 11 cases mediation did not take place because of refusal or absence of the parties. Most of the disputes were resolved in 1-2 mediation sessions. An average term of dispute settlement was 5-6 hours.
Results of the project showed that mediation was more effective in resolution of labor relations, devision of property of spouses and recognition of the property right to a part of premises. 85% of labor (11 cases) and property (6 cases) disputes were completed by signing the settlement agreement or claimant withdrow the claim. These figures correspond to average russian and european indicators of success of mediation in conflict resolution on the specified categories of cases.
As well important are the results of the project where parties got satisfaction from mediation and the reached agreements, and also gratitude to mediators for their help in conflict resolution, saving relations, time and money.
Results of the pilot project confirm once again the effectiveness of mediation in conflict resolution and give hope for its further active use in court cases and extrajudicial order.