Even if it turned out to be a faster and cheaper method of resolving disputes, without going to court or using the services of a lawyer, mediation is not yet very popular among the Moldovans. The subject was discussed in a forum in Chisinau on November 18, IPN reports.

Minister of Justice Oleg Efrim said that by such events they aim to promote the alternative conflict solving methods. “The goal of the Ministry of Justice is to encourage the people and the business community to use the services of specialists who will help them find a solution to the disputes in which they are involved, so as to avoid the court procedures, bureaucracy, useless costs and not to waste time at hearings,” he stated.

According to Oleg Efrim, the use of alternative methods will contribute to easing the burden of judges and prosecutors. “Such a mechanism as mediation will definitely help us to optimize the legal procedures by simplifying the process of finding a solution and by reducing the number of cases examined by the courts of law,” stated the minister.

British Ambassador in Chisinau Phil Batson said the development of mediation could offer Moldova more advantages, including swift and cheaper resolution of disputes between the sides involved, easing of the burden of judges, diminution of the administrative costs incurred by the Ministry, and others. “The UK was one of the promoters of the practice of mediation in Europe. In the UK, the alternative process of ending disagreements is not limited to the private sector only. Last year, the British government adopted the alternative resolution of disputes concerning incomes between the British Customs and Excise Service and its clients,” stated the diplomat.

EBRD representative Allan Colman said mediation is widely used in many European states and becomes more popular in the countries in transition. One of the barriers to using this practice is the lack of understanding of the value of mediation in the community. Sometimes it is regarded only as a friendly discussion, not as a serious solution to a dispute. Another barrier is the lawyers themselves, who are often interested in taking the dispute to court. The lawyers should be those who must urge their clients to use this alternative way.

According to the Ministry of Justice, in Moldova there are over 500 mediators.