Moldovan government backs mediation as way of alternative dispute settlement

Chisinau, 22 April /MOLDPRES/ - The cabinet today approved a draft to support and promote mediation. The new document will help optimise the work of mediators and strengthen the institution of mediation in Moldova, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici welcomed the initiative to promote alternative ways of dispute resolution - mediation and arbitration. Mediation will reduce the big influx of cases in courts and save human and financial resources.

"The efficient work of the dispute resolution alternative system is essential to the process of edifying an effective legal system, with potential to improve access to justice, reduce the time for dispute resolution, increase public trust in the justice act," said Justice Minister Vladimir Grosu.

By promoting this draft, the government aims to: strengthen the Mediation Council, establish conditions for accession to the profession, create a body of qualified mediators, regulate facilities for sides opting to resolve the dispute through mediation and the delimitate the powers of the Justice Ministry and the Mediation Council in the sector. Under the document, the Mediation Council will propose policy development and improve the legal framework, and the Justice Ministry will develop, coordinate and monitor the implementation of policy documents. The sides involved in the conflict, who choose mediation, will benefit from facilities, such as exemption from paying the state tax, rescheduling total or partial payment or repayment thereof. The sides will also be able to benefit from services of a mediator paid by the state.

Promoting and developing the institution of mediation, as an alternative means of dispute settlement, is an objective of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy for the years 2011-2016.

(Editor A. Raileanu)