Mediation process

The officials at the mediation office receive the initiative for mediation, acquire the documents relating to the case with the consent of the parties, and assess whether the criminal or civil case is suitable for mediation and what the conditions for mediation are.

The mediation office gets in touch with the parties involved and informs them of

• mediation and its significance

• the status of different parties in the mediation

• support services during and after mediation.

The officials at the mediation office decide that mediation is undertaken and notify the mediation parties of the decision. If the positive decision is drawn up and mediation is initiated, the officials at the mediation office choose the mediators for the case. The mediators contact the parties, and arrange separate and joint meetings with the parties involved.

The mediators are responsible for carrying out the mediation. The parties are active in the discussions. Events are discussed constructively, enabling the parties to listen to each other.

Parties can call off the mediation process at any stage

The mediation may continue until an agreement or it may discontinue with neither conciliation or an agreement. The parties can call off the mediation process at any stage. Even the mediators can decide to discontinue the process, where necessary.

Mediation offices must interrupt mediation if a party withdraws from the agreement or if there is a reason to suspect that the agreements have not been given voluntary or if the parties do not want to continue mediation. If an agreement is achieved, a follow-up may be arranged.

Following mediation, information on the results of the mediation will be given to the police or prosecuting authority, who make the decision on the progress of the case in the police investigation or criminal procedure.

In mediation the parties are informed about local and national support- and follow-up services.

Agreements can include several types of compensations

An agreement concerning a criminal or civil case may include a monetary compensation or compensation in the form of work.
Depending on the willingness and needs of the parties involved the agreements can include several types of compensations. If conciliation is reached, the parties sign an agreement which is authenticated by the mediators.

A written agreement may be confirmed in general courts

A written agreement reached in an out-of-court mediation may be confirmed in general courts. Proceedings shall be commenced by a written application submitted to the district court office. The application may be submitted by the parties to the agreement together or, with the explicit consent of the other parties, by one or more of the parties.

Mediation process in criminal cases
Mediation process in civil cases