The Mediation Directive : European implementation assessment : in-depth analysis

Taking into account the limited objectives set within the Mediation Directive, namely to facilitate access to alternative dispute resolution and promote mediation that would operate in a balanced relationship with judicial proceedings, its implementation throughout the European Union has been rather successful and unproblematic. In some Member States, it has triggered the establishment of previously non-existent mechanisms and institutions; in others, it has ensured some alignment of procedural law and various practices. The challenges lying ahead are linked to the limitations of comparing different national solutions without the benefit of coherent data on the use and impact of mediation, and to experience with the implementation of other European Union (EU) acts (such as the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Directive from 2013). The growing recognition of the usefulness of mediation as such will in any case be further strengthened by the continuous exchange of best practices in different national jurisdictions, supported by appropriate action at the European level.