The Law on Mediation and the Status of Mediator was adopted by the Parliament at the last meeting of the winter session in final reading.
The first mediation session will cost 10% of the minimum wage. At the same time, participation in the procedure will reduce the state fee for filing a lawsuit by 25%, even if no agreement is reached.
The law applies to civil disputes worth up to 50 average wages in the economy, as well as to family conflicts related to parental rights, place of residence and maintenance of children, and other disputes between spouses, former spouses or family members. Excluded are cases of family violence and divorce. Labor disputes are exempt from the first hearing fee.
Previously, many experts opposed the bill. Expert Group noted that the first meeting is informative and does not guarantee the resolution of the dispute, and international experience shows that mandatory paid mediation is not necessary for the protection of citizens.
The Association of Banks asked to be excluded from the law because banks already use internal debt settlement mechanisms.
Utility providers, in particular Premier Energy, warned that the new requirements could lead to higher costs and tariffs for consumers.
Nevertheless, the law was passed and will come into force in 12 months for employment and family disputes and 24 months for civil disputes.
