Parliament approves at first reading bill on mediation

Some 339 MPs voted for the draft law at a parliament’s meeting on Wednesday, with at least 226 votes needed to make the decision, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

The draft law defines the legal basis and procedure for mediation in Ukraine.

According to the bill, mediation can be used in any conflicts (disputes) arising, in particular, from civil, family, labor and administrative relations, as well as in criminal proceedings when concluding conciliation agreements between a victim and a suspect or defendant.

It is noted in the document that mediation can be conducted by mutual consent of the parties in accordance with the principles of voluntariness; confidentiality; independence and neutrality, impartiality of the mediator; self-determination and equality of rights of the parties to mediation.

The draft law defines the rights, requirements and responsibilities of the mediator and the parties to mediation and the procedure for conducting mediation. In particular, an individual with higher education who has completed the basic preparation program on mediation in Ukraine or abroad can receive the status of a mediator

The documents also envisages requirements for a mediation agreement and an agreement on the settlement of a conflict (dispute) based on the results of mediation etc.

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