The Mediation and Reconciliation Service is a government service that offers mediation as a method of resolving or dealing with conflicts. The service is free of charge and is offered throughout the country. The Mediation and Reconciliation Service deals with civil cases that the parties bring before the service on their own initiative, such as disputes between neighbours, family disputes, financial matters and other conflicts. The prosecuting authorities can also transfer cases to the Mediation and Reconciliation Service for mediation.
Mediation is a method of dealing with conflicts. Through negotiations and conversations, endeavours are made to reach an agreement that both parties can feel happy with. The parties decide themselves whether to enter into an agreement.
Case processing times are short in the Mediation and Reconciliation Service. On average, it only takes a few weeks from a case is submitted for mediation until it has been concluded. In more than 90% of cases, the conflict is resolved by the parties reaching an agreement.
Anyone can contact the Mediation and Reconciliation Service for information, advice or guidance on a relevant matter. All enquiries are non-binding for the persons contacting the Mediation and Reconciliation Service, and the service has a duty of confidentiality.
