International Forum: Commercial mediation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia was held in Minsk
Vlasova Mikhel & Partners law firm alongside with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus hosted the first International Forum on Commercial Mediation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which was held on 11-12 October 2016 in Minsk.
The forum brought together the representatives of the Ministries of Justice, judges of the supreme courts and experts in the field of mediation from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and initiated dialogue about ways of promotion of commercial mediation in these counties. Participants shared their experiences of resolving disputed in mediation in their countries, discussed the prospects of commercial mediation in the region and developed steps for the implementation of this important legal mechanism.
"Implementation of Commercial Mediation - a dynamic, structured and interactive process in which a neutral third party assists the disputing parties to solve the problem through negotiation - could significantly reduce the burden on the courts, increase the share of successful conflict resolution and efficiency of justice" - the EBRD representative said. According to experts of the bank, commercial mediation may also bring a number of long-term benefits to the legal system by making the national courts more efficient, including economically, by cutting unforeseen costs in judicial proceedings. Companies also benefit from more intensive and low-cost way of resolving disputes, which is a commercial mediation. EBRD General Counsel Marie Anne Birken said: "The rule of law is paramount. This is an essential condition for the development of an appropriate judicial system and to create a more favorable investment climate. With this in mind, the implementation of commercial mediation is another step in the right direction. Bank Team for legal reform is actively cooperating with various stakeholders in the region to promote this important reform. "
After Forum - on 13-14 of October - the first Russian-language competition for mediation among students was held. It was attended by 8 teams of negotiators and 4 teams of mediators from Russia and Belarus. Among the universities that took part in the competition - Academy of Public Administration, the Belarusian State University, Gomel State University named Skaryna, Grodno State University named Yanka Kupala, the International University "IILSR" All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg State University and the Russian Academy of justice. The best team of mediators was the team of Russian Academy of Justice, the first place among the negotiators went to the guys from the President of the Republic of Belarus Academy of Management.
Both events were very successful, and today they discussed to make their annual.
