Integration of Mediation into Ukrainian Court System: Policy Paper

Abstract

This study is prepared by Dr. Tatiana Kyselova and aims at comprehensive policy guidelines for planning further actions with regards to integration of mediation into the Ukrainian court system in line with the Council of Europe mediation recommendations. This report is based on the findings of the empirical case-study of mediation in Ukraine which was conducted by the author as a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow in 2016-2017. The report offers analysis of the current situation, main stakeholders of mediation, piloted court mediation schemes, possible scenarios of mediation integration into the court system, and recommendations for further actions. The main findings of the study are as follows. Given the specific socio-political context in Ukraine and relative cost- and time-efficiency of Ukrainian courts, integration of mediation into the court system will achieve better results if it is soft, gradual but quick - beginning from the voluntary schemes of court mediation and decentralized professional self-regulation with minimum state involvement. Soft integration of mediation within the courts should be reflected in the law on mediation and procedural codes expected to be adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament in 2017. All the models of court mediation piloted in 1997-2016 have potential for further development and mediation regulation should leave doors open to any of these models. The prospective law on mediation should encourage an experimental approach based on pilot court mediation schemes that are continuously monitored and may lead to the possible introduction of mandatory and more centralized elements in the future. It is suggested that the Ukrainian mediation community should primarily be responsible for coordinating and promoting the integration of mediation within the court system. It should be supported by the international community in such a development including projects to gain the support of the judiciary and the political elite; joint projects with the courts to test court mediation schemes; strategy development and coordination of efforts with lawyers and other stakeholders; drafting of mediation legislation; development of quality control, professional training and ethical standards for mediators.