Informing about mediation as a power of executive bodies of local self-government

Abstract

The article examines the problem of low awareness in Ukrainian society of the right to mediation as a social service. According to the author, this does not correspond to Ukraine’s aspirations to practically implement the procedures for alternative dispute resolution recommended by international organisations, including mediation.The author emphasises that today, it is crucial to work on informing the public about mediation as a social service within the framework of Ukraine’s social policy. The decentralisation processes have brought local governments closer to the population, which undoubtedly contributes to providing complete and reliable information about the opportunities to receive social services. Informing recipients of social services about mediation is a direct responsibility of local governments. Therefore, there is an urgent need for them to inform the population about social mediation effectively.It is noted that the Law of Ukraine «On Social Services» includes informing the population about social services, including mediation, in a form accessible to persons with any type of health disorder (Article 11, part 4) as a part of the powers of executive bodies of local self-government (as a subject of the social services system). This power correlates with the right of recipients of social services to receive from executive bodies of local self-government complete and comprehensive information on social services, including mediation, in a form accessible to persons with any type of health impairment (Article 12, paragraph 3, part 1). The author conditionally distinguishes three components of the powers of executive bodies of local self-government to inform about social services, including mediation (object of information, subjects of information, form of information) and reveals their content. The article examines the issue of parliamentary control over the observance of the right to information of recipients of social services, as well as liability for its violation.