A new and innovative amendment draft law prepared by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order regarding mediation in civil disputes up to €10,000 is set to bring significant changes. Mediation will now cover civil, commercial, cross-border, and labor disputes.

The role of mediators will be assumed by lawyers, members of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber, provided they meet specific requirements. These individuals will have the right to register with the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the Cyprus Bar Association.

Additionally, mediators, excluding practicing lawyers involved in commercial disputes, must submit a certification to the Ministry of Justice and Public Order every three years, indicating they have completed at least 24 hours of relevant training.

This legislation establishes a legal framework facilitating access to alternative dispute resolution, aiming for economically efficient and expeditious extrajudicial resolution tailored to the needs of the parties involved. Agreements reached through mediation are expected to be more willingly executed and will enable the maintenance of a friendly and sustainable relationship between the parties.

According to Mr. Michael Vorkas, President of the Cyprus Bar Association, this draft law is highly significant as it assigns mediators the responsibility of resolving civil disputes outside the courts, particularly those involving sums up to €10,000. Vorkas emphasized that this approach will alleviate the burden on the courts.