Mediation can be used to supplement legal proceedings in civil and administrative cases, even when a lawsuit has already started. At the suggestion of the judge, or at the request of the parties themselves, the parties come together under the guidance of a competent, independent mediator to try to resolve the dispute.

Every court has a mediation office. This office provides information about mediation, works with the parties to see if mediation is right for them, offers support with the decision to involve a mediator and arranges the initial mediation session.

If a criminal case is suitable for mediation, a public prosecutor or a judge can offer it as an option. This form of mediation does not replace the criminal law proceedings; it is intended to remedy the emotional and/or material damage that has occurred as a result of the offence. The mediation office will contact the offender and the victim and explore the possibility of starting the mediation process. If mediation is possible, the mediation office will appoint two specialist criminal law mediators and schedule the individual intake sessions. The intake interviews are usually followed by a mediation session between the offender and the victim, which is held in the courthouse’s dedicated mediation room. Mediation is available free of charge to parties to criminal proceedings.