WHAT IS MEDIATION IN TURKEY?

WHO IS A MEDIATOR IN TURKEY?

A mediator in Turkey is an expert who facilitates the amicable resolution of legal disputes between parties. To perform their duties, mediators must meet certain requirements.

To become a mediator in Turkey, a person must have graduated from a law faculty and pass a qualification exam administered by the Ministry of Justice. Those who achieve the required score in this exam are eligible to register in the mediator registry in Turkey. However, passing the exam alone is not sufficient; being officially registered in the mediator registry is a mandatory condition for practicing mediation. Legal professionals without registration cannot mediate disputes, even if they hold the qualification score.

Recently, a regulation has been introduced allowing legal professionals with over 20 years of professional experience to register directly in the mediator registry without taking the qualification exam. This arrangement aims to facilitate the participation of experienced legal practitioners in the mediation system.

Mediators in Turkey carry out their duties in accordance with Law No. 6325 on Mediation in Civil Disputes and the regulations issued under this Law. They are also obliged to follow the notifications and instructions issued by the Mediation Department Directorate.

Mediators act as impartial third parties in resolving legal disputes, ensuring a fair environment for reconciliation. This role highlights the importance of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method to litigation.

WHAT QUALITIES SHOULD A MEDIATOR HAVE?

Mediators are specialists who guide the parties through the resolution process and facilitate negotiations impartially. An effective mediator should possess the following qualities:

• Introduction and Information Sharing: Mediators should introduce themselves and provide a detailed explanation of the mediation process. During the opening statement, it is essential to help the parties understand the purpose and methods of mediation.
• Honesty and Impartiality: Mediators must be honest, impartial, reliable, and transparent to gain the trust of the parties and manage the process successfully.
• Patience and Anger Management: Mediators should handle emotional reactions during the dispute with patience and maintain calmness by exercising anger management skills.
• Flexibility and Solution-Oriented Approach: A mediator should adopt a flexible approach to the process and contribute to identifying issues and developing solutions.
• Empathy Skills: Understanding the emotions and needs of the parties through empathy is an indispensable ability for an effective mediator.
• Active Listening: Mediators should carefully listen to the parties’ perspectives and provide guidance accordingly.
• Effective Communication and Process Management: Mediators must establish a conducive communication environment and steer the process appropriately to create a foundation for agreement.

An effective mediator exhibits these qualities, facilitating the amicable resolution of disputes and fostering long-lasting agreements between parties.

HOW TO APPLY FOR MEDIATION PROCESS IN TURKEY?

In Turkish law, mediation applications can be made in two forms: mandatory mediation and voluntary mediation. The mediation application process differs for each type.

1- Mandatory Mediation Application

Mandatory mediation in Turkey requires parties to apply to a mediator before filing a lawsuit for certain types of disputes.

• The mediation application in Turkey is made in writing to the mediation office located in the relevant courthouse.
• Once the mediation application is submitted, the mediation office assigns a mediator registered in the mediator registry.
• The dispute must fall within the scope of mandatory mediation for the application to proceed.

2- Voluntary Mediation Application

In voluntary mediation in Turkey, parties may decide to initiate the mediation process on their own.

• Applications can be made to mediation offices in courthouses or to a mediator or mediation center chosen by the parties.

TIMEFRAMES IN MEDIATION APPLICATION PROCESS IN TURKEY

The duration of mediation activities varies depending on the type and nature of the dispute. For disputes under the scope of mandatory mediation, as of September 2023, the process proceeds as follows:

Conditions for Lawsuit Mediation Periods

• Employee-Employer and Consumer Disputes: The prescribed duration for completing the mediation process is 3 weeks. If necessary, this period may be extended by an additional week.
• Commercial Disputes: For commercial disputes, the mediation process in Turkey is allotted a duration of 6 weeks. This period can be extended by a maximum of 2 additional weeks if required.

If no agreement is reached within these timeframes, the parties may continue seeking resolution through voluntary mediation in Turkey.

Statutes of Limitations and Peremptory Time Periods in Mediation

1. Lawsuit Mediation: When the mediation process begins, statutes of limitations and peremptory time periods are suspended. This arrangement allows parties more time to resolve their disputes.

2. Voluntary Mediation: In voluntary mediation, statutes of limitations and peremptory time periods are not suspended. If one party does not respond to a mediation proposal within 30 days, the proposal is deemed rejected.

Mediation Application After a Lawsuit Has Been Filed

If voluntary mediation is initiated after a lawsuit has been filed, the court proceedings may be suspended for up to 3 months. This suspension provides additional time for the parties to engage in solution-focused discussions.

These timeframes aim to ensure that mediation processes are conducted efficiently and swiftly. By regulating the effects of statutes of limitations and peremptory time periods, both mandatory mediation and voluntary mediation processes provide flexibility to the parties.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDIATION PROCESS IN TURKEY?

Participation in mediation sessions may vary depending on the type of dispute and the representation status of the parties. The individuals who can participate in the mediation process include:

• Parties and Their Representatives

1. Principal Parties: Individuals who hold rights over the subject of the dispute can directly participate in mediation sessions.
2. Legal Representatives: Legal representatives authorized to act on behalf of the parties (e.g., guardians, trustees) can join the sessions.

• Lawyers: The parties’ lawyers can represent them in mediation sessions and provide legal support.
• Experts: After the mediation application, experts with knowledge and experience that can contribute to resolving the dispute may participate in the sessions upon the request of the parties and with the mediator’s approval (Article 15/6 of the HUAK).
• Participation in Labor Disputes: In mediation activities related to labor disputes, personnel explicitly authorized by the employer can attend the sessions. Such authorization is essential to ensure proper representation of the employer.
• Parties Represented by Committees: If the party required to participate in the session is a committee (e.g., a board or panel), all committee members must attend the session. Additionally, obtaining the signatures of all members is mandatory.

Participation in mediation sessions allows for effective representation and contributes to resolving disputes through a broad spectrum of participants. In addition to the parties and their representatives, the inclusion of experts and authorized personnel fosters a more robust communication and resolution environment.

IS PARTICIPATION IN MEDIATION ACTIVITIES MANDATORY IN TURKEY?

Participation in mediation process in Turkey differs depending on whether the mediation is voluntary or mandatory.

1- Participation in Voluntary Mediation in Turkey

• Voluntary mediation is a process in which parties participate willingly.
• If the other party does not respond to the mediation invitation within 30 days or does not attend the meeting, the mediation process is considered unsuccessful.
• Participation is not mandatory in this process, but cooperation between the parties is essential for achieving a settlement.

2-Participation in Lawsuit Mediation in Turkey

• In mandatory mediation, participation in mediation activities is legally required.
• Significant sanctions apply to parties who fail to attend the first session without a valid excuse:
  1. The name of the party causing the process to end is explicitly noted in the official report.
  2. Even if the absent party is found to be wholly or partially justified in the case, they are held responsible for the litigation costs.
  3. The absent party is not awarded attorney fees (Article 18/A/11 of the HUAK). However, this provision does not apply against consumers (Article 73/A/2 of the Consumer Protection Law No. 6502).

Since participation in mandatory mediation processes is legally required, non-compliance may lead to serious consequences. In voluntary mediation, participation depends on the parties’ discretion. In both cases, active participation is crucial for reaching a settlement and properly evaluating the legal outcomes.

WHAT IS MANDATORY MEDIATION IN TURKEY?

Mandatory mediation is a process where resorting to a mediator is legally required to resolve certain types of disputes. In other words, in some cases, parties cannot directly apply to the court without going through the mediation process in Turkey. This practice has been implemented to reduce the judicial burden in certain legal disputes and to provide faster, more economical, and efficient solutions between the parties.

Lawsuit mediation is applied as a “precondition for filing a lawsuit.” Therefore, it can also be referred to as “pre-litigation mediation.” This means that if a lawsuit is filed without resorting to mediation, the case will be dismissed without being heard on the merits. Thus, participating in mandatory mediation is a prerequisite for filing a lawsuit. If the parties apply to the court without initiating the mandatory mediation process, the case is dismissed procedurally, and the parties may need to return to the mediation stage.

• Lawsuit Mediation in Consumer Disputes

Article 73/A of the Consumer Protection Law No. 6502 has made resorting to a mediator a precondition for disputes seen in consumer courts. With this regulation, in cases to be filed in consumer courts, mediation must be attempted before the lawsuit is filed.

However, the requirement to apply for mediation does not apply in certain situations. The exceptions specified in Article 73/A are as follows:

• Disputes within the scope of the Consumer Arbitration Committee’s duties: Mediation is not required for disputes that fall under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Arbitration Committee. These disputes can be resolved directly by applying to the arbitration committee.
• Objections to decisions of the Consumer Arbitration Committee: There is no mandatory mediation requirement for objections made against decisions issued by the Consumer Arbitration Committee.
• Lawsuits referred to in the sixth paragraph of Article 73/A: The lawsuits listed in the sixth paragraph of Article 73/A are not subject to the mediation requirement. The type and scope of these lawsuits have been excluded from mediation.
• Lawsuits listed in Article 74: Lawsuits regulated under Article 74, which aims to protect consumers, are also among those exempted from mediation.
• Disputes arising from immovable property transactions: Mediation is not required for disputes arising from transactions involving immovable properties that are considered consumer transactions.

With this regulation, unless specified otherwise, it is mandatory to apply for mediation before filing a lawsuit in consumer courts, enabling parties to resolve their disputes more quickly and effectively.

• Lawsuit Mediation in Commercial Lawsuits

Article 5/a of the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102 requires mediation to be a precondition for filing lawsuits related to commercial disputes, including those specified in Article 4 of the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) and other special laws. This regulation mandates that commercial disputes, such as claims for receivables and compensation, must first attempt mediation before filing a lawsuit.

Commercial disputes frequently involve issues such as the payment of a certain amount of money, including claims for receivables and compensation. In these cases, parties are required to attempt mediation before directly applying to the commercial court.

The mediator will try to resolve the dispute within six weeks after receiving the mediation request. In mandatory situations, this period can be extended by up to two weeks by the mediator. This flexible timeline provides a better chance for the parties to actively participate in the resolution process and increases the likelihood of reaching a settlement.

If the parties fail to reach an agreement during the mediation process in Turkey, the mediator will issue a final report, granting the parties the right to file a lawsuit in Turkey. This step helps resolve commercial disputes more quickly and at a lower cost before proceeding to court.

• Lawsuit Mediation in Real Estate Law

Real estate law in Turkey plays a significant role in resolving disputes related to immovable property. Article 17/B of the Mediation Law No. 6325 allows disputes related to the transfer of immovable property or the establishment of limited real rights on immovables to be resolved through mediation.

If the parties agree in writing and the mediator records the agreement, a notation can be placed in the title deed registry indicating that the parties’ rights are restricted for the mediation process in Turkey. However, this notation is limited to the mediation process and cannot exceed three months. If the parties fail to reach an agreement or decide to remove the notation, it will automatically be lifted at the end of the specified period upon the mediator’s request.

There are also specific situations in real estate law where mediation is required before filing a lawsuit. In these cases, mediation is considered a precondition for filing a lawsuit (Article 18/B of Law No. 6325):

• Disputes related to leased immovable properties: Disputes arising from lease agreements, except for those related to eviction of tenant in Turkey without a court order under the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law No. 2004, must be resolved through mediation.
• Division of movable and immovable properties and termination of joint ownership: If disputes arise from joint ownership of real estate, the parties must apply for mediation.
• Disputes arising from the Condominium Law: Disputes regarding apartment or site management under the Condominium Law No. 634 must be resolved through mediation.
• Neighborly rights: Disputes arising from boundary limitations, noise, or air pollution between neighbors must also be resolved through mediation.

The lawsuit mediation process in real estate law helps parties find quicker and more effective solutions and reduces the burden on courts.

• Lawsuit Mediation in Labor Law

Since January 1, 2018, mandatory mediation has been introduced to resolve disputes between employees and employers in labor law in Turkey. Article 3 of the Labor Courts Law No. 7036 requires mediation as a precondition for filing lawsuits related to labor compensation claims (such as annual leave pay, overtime pay, salaries) and severance compensation (such as notice compensation, seniority compensation). Lawsuits cannot be filed in labor courts without first applying for mediation, and cases will be dismissed due to procedural reasons.

• Reinstatement Claims: An employee whose employment contract is terminated for valid reasons must apply for mediation within one month of receiving the termination notice. If no agreement is reached during mediation, the employee can apply to the labor court within two weeks.
• Severance Pay: Disputes regarding seniority compensation that arise after the termination of an employment contract must also be resolved through mandatory mediation before filing a lawsuit.
• Notice Compensation: If the employee is claiming notice compensation due to unjust dismissal, this must first be resolved through mediation.
• Overtime Pay: Claims for overtime pay for work exceeding 45 hours per week must be addressed through mediation before a lawsuit is filed.
• Annual Paid Leave, Salary, and Holiday Pay: Disputes regarding annual paid leave, salary, or holiday pay also require mandatory mediation before filing a lawsuit.
• Defamation and Property Damage: Disputes arising from insults or damage to company property between employees and employers must be resolved through mediation before directly filing a lawsuit.

Claims for compensation resulting from work accidents or occupational diseases are excluded from the mediation process in Turkey and can be directly filed in labor courts.

WHAT IS VOLUNTARY MEDIATION IN TURKEY?

Voluntary mediation in Turkey is a process where parties agree to seek the help of a mediator to resolve their dispute, without any legal obligation. It is an alternative method for resolving conflicts more quickly and cost-effectively, without entering into the court process. However, voluntary mediation cannot be applied in cases involving public order or personal rights directly affected by the dispute.

Voluntary mediation in Turkey can be used to resolve any private law disputes where the parties are free to decide whether or not to seek mediation. According to Article 1/2 of the Mediation Law No. 6325, parties may resolve all private law disputes they can freely dispose of through voluntary mediation. These disputes generally concern the rights of the parties involved and do not affect public order.

Disputes That Can Be Resolved Through Voluntary Mediation in Turkey

• Commercial and Insurance Disputes: Disputes related to commercial receivables, trade contracts, insurance claims, and issues arising from insurance agreements can be resolved through voluntary mediation in Turkey.
• Material and Moral Compensation Claims: Claims for material and moral damages resulting from personal injuries or other similar issues can be settled through voluntary mediation. Disputes between parties can be resolved without going to court, using mediation.
• Inheritance and Property Distribution Disputes: Disputes regarding the division of inheritance, claims based on forced share (reduction), fraudulent conveyances by the decedent, and other inheritance-related issues can be resolved through voluntary mediation in Turkey.
• Post-Divorce Property Distribution and Compensation: After a divorce is finalized, issues related to property distribution, alimony, and moral compensation can be resolved through mediation. Additionally, claims like contribution or participation shares also fall under voluntary mediation in Turkey.
• Labor Disputes: Disputes between employees and employers regarding seniority compensation, notice compensation, overtime pay, disability compensation due to work-related accidents, and other related claims can be addressed through voluntary mediation.
• Real Estate Disputes: Voluntary mediation can resolve issues related to real estate, such as the abuse of power of attorney, fraudulent conveyances, annulment and registration of title deeds, occupation compensation (ecrimisil), pre-emption (shufa), partition of jointly owned property, construction contracts, and real estate sales promises.
• Disputes Arising from Rent Law: Disputes related to rent law, such as the eviction of a tenant for need-based reasons, objections to rent increases, and requests for rent assessments, can be settled through voluntary mediation.
• Inheritance Transfer Procedures: After inheritance distribution, parties can resolve disputes related to the inheritance transfer process through voluntary mediation in Turkey.

Voluntary mediation provides a flexible and efficient way to resolve conflicts, as it allows parties to take an active role in finding mutually agreeable solutions without the need for court intervention.

DISPUTES WHERE MEDIATION CANNOT BE APPLIED IN TURKEY?

Mediation is a method for resolving legal issues where parties can freely dispose of their rights. However, certain disputes cannot be resolved through mediation due to public order concerns or because the rights involved cannot be freely disposed of by the parties. In such cases, legal solutions can only be obtained through specific judicial processes.

• Criminal Cases: Since criminal proceedings involve the state prosecuting individuals for committing crimes, criminal cases cannot be mediated. These cases concern the state’s interest and public safety.
• Public Law Disputes: Disputes falling under public law, such as cases involving the determination of estate, cannot be resolved through mediation.
• Disputes Involving Non-Disposable Rights: Disputes where the parties cannot freely dispose of their rights are not suitable for mediation process in Turkey.
• Disputes Regarding Correction or Change of Civil Registry Records: Cases related to the correction or change of an individual’s identity details in civil records are outside the scope of mediation. These issues fall under the authority of the relevant population registry office and involve public order.
• Divorce and Annulment of Marriage Cases: Divorce and marriage annulment cases cannot be resolved through mediation process in Turkey.
• Paternity Cases: Paternity cases are not subject to mediation.
• Child Custody: Disputes regarding child custody must be resolved by the court in order to protect the best interests of the child. These rights are too important to be subject to the parties’ disposal and thus cannot be mediated.
• Domestic Violence Claims: Claims of domestic violence cannot be mediated due to the serious harm and safety risks they pose to individuals. These cases threaten public security and must be investigated by judicial authorities.
• Disputes Within Administrative Jurisdiction: Disputes related to administrative law, such as full jurisdiction or annulment cases involving public institutions’ actions or decisions, cannot be resolved through mediation. These are addressed in administrative courts.
• Disputes Arising from Zoning Laws: Disputes under zoning laws cannot be mediated.
• Disputes Related to the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage Laws: Disputes stemming from laws regarding the protection of cultural and natural heritage cannot be resolved through mediation process in Turkey.
• Some Disputes Under the Condominium Ownership Law: Certain disputes related to condominium ownership are not subject to mediation.
• Bankruptcy and Postponement of Bankruptcy Cases: Bankruptcy and postponement of bankruptcy cases cannot be resolved through mediation.
• Tax Law Disputes: Disputes related to taxation, which involve state tax collection regulations and audits, cannot be mediated. These cases must be resolved in tax courts with tax lawyers.
• Work or Service Accident Determination: Cases regarding work accidents or service-related injury determinations cannot be mediated due to their connection with insurance and social security rights, requiring state intervention and resolution through the courts.

These types of disputes concern public order or require state intervention, and therefore can only be resolved by the courts or relevant public institutions. Mediation is not a valid solution for such cases.

MEDIATION APPLICATION DEADLINES IN TURKEY

The parties to a dispute may agree to mediation application either before or after a lawsuit is filed. Mediation can be initiated at any stage of the dispute, depending on the parties’ decision.

• Pre-Litigation and Post-Litigation Mediation: The parties can agree on mediation application either before or after filing a lawsuit. Thus, the decision to pursue mediation is valid at any stage of the dispute.
• Mediation Proposal: Either party can propose mediation to the other party before or after the lawsuit is filed. If the other party does not respond positively within 30 days, the proposal is deemed rejected (Article 13 of the Mediation Law No. 6325).
• Court and Mediation: After a lawsuit is filed, the court may inform or encourage the parties to seek mediation. If both parties agree to mediate, the court can postpone the trial for up to three months. This period can be extended to three months if the parties return to court together (Article 15 of the Mediation Law No. 6325).

These deadlines are set to allow parties to take the necessary steps for mediation application and ensure the process is carried out in a timely manner.

COSTS AND MEDIATOR FEES IN TURKEY

The costs and mediator fees in Turkey in mediation vary depending on whether it is voluntary or a prerequisite for litigation.

1- Costs and Mediator’s Fee in Voluntary Mediation:

• The mediator has the right to request fees and expenses, which must not be less than the minimum fee set by the Mediation Minimum Fee Schedule.
• Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, the mediator’s fee is shared equally between the parties.
• The mediator may request an advance payment from the parties if deemed necessary.

2-Costs and Mediator’s Fee in Mediation as a Pre-Litigation Requirement

• In Case of No Agreement: If no agreement is reached in mediation, the cost of the mediator’s first two hours is covered by the Ministry of Justice’s budget. However, the party found to be at fault in the lawsuit or the one who fails to attend the mediation must bear this cost.
• In Case of Agreement: If an agreement is reached, the mediator fees, as determined by the Mediation Minimum Fee Schedule, will be shared equally between the parties unless otherwise agreed.

These regulations aim to balance the financial responsibilities of the parties involved in both voluntary and pre-litigation mediation processes, ensuring the effectiveness and transparency of the process. Mediators are required to inform the parties about the mediator fees and costs, ensuring a clear and transparent mediation process.

WHAT IS THE MEDIATION FINAL REPORT?

At the end of the mediation process in Turkey, the parties may conclude the process with one of the following outcomes:

• Failure to Attend the Meeting
• Agreement
• Disagreement

In such cases, the mediator officially ends the process and prepares a final report, which is shared with the parties attending the meeting. If the process ends in disagreement and the dispute is subject to lawsuit mediation, the applicant must attach the final report from the mediator to the lawsuit petition.

WHAT IS THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN MEDIATION?

If the parties reach an agreement at the end of the mediation process in Turkey, a settlement agreement is prepared, which is binding according to Article 18/5 of the Mediation Law.

• Characteristics of the Settlement Agreement: The matters agreed upon cannot be litigated later. The settlement agreement must be clear, precise, and understandable. It should be specifically tailored to the dispute and avoid general phrases. Details such as the terms of the agreement, the date of the agreement, and the nature of the dispute must be clearly included in the text.
• Preparation of the Settlement Agreement: The settlement agreement is written by the mediator and signed by the parties either with wet signatures or electronic signatures.
• Enforceability of the Agreement: The settlement agreement cannot be subject to enforcement unless it receives an enforceability certificate from the court. Without this, it cannot be executed under the enforcement proceedings.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ENFORCEABILITY CERTIFICATE FOR A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT?

At the end of a mediation process in Turkey, if the parties have reached an agreement and wish to subject the settlement to enforcement proceedings, an enforceability certificate must be obtained. This certificate makes the agreement enforceable like a court decision. The process for obtaining the enforceability certificate is as follows:

1. Requirement for an Enforceability Certificate: To make the settlement agreement enforceable, the agreement must have an enforceability certificate (HUAK Article 18, Regulation 21/2). However, if the agreement is signed in the presence of all parties and their representatives, no enforceability certificate is needed, as the agreement is already considered to have the force of a court ruling.
2. Obtaining the Enforceability Certificate: To make the agreement legally enforceable, the mediator must submit a request to the Civil Court of Peace in the area where the mediation took place. If the mediation occurred while a case is ongoing, the request can also be made to the court handling the case.
3. Court Review Process: The court will treat this request as a non-contentious procedure and review it based on the file. The parties have the right to appeal the court’s decision. The appeal is subject to a fixed fee.
4. Situations Where the Certificate Cannot Be Issued: If the settlement agreement violates mandatory law or public order, the court will not issue the enforceability certificate, and the agreement cannot be enforced.

This process ensures that the settlement has legal binding power and can be enforced through official channels.

CAN FOREIGNERS MAKE MEDIATION APPLICATION IN TURKEY?

Foreigners who are Non-Turkish citizens have the right to make mediation application in Turkey. There is no legal obstacle preventing foreigners from engaging in the mediation process in Turkey. This aligns with both Turkish legal principles and international law. Mediation provides a non-judicial way to resolve disputes, and foreign nationals can benefit from this process on equal terms with Turkish citizens.

While mediation is mandatory in some disputes, such as commercial disputes, if the parties do not participate in the mediation, their lawsuit may be rejected due to the absence of a lawsuit mediation process. Foreigners must comply with this mandatory mediation requirement as per Turkish law.

Since foreigners are not expected to be fully familiar with Turkish laws and regulations, it is advisable for them to seek legal assistance from a Turkish Law Office when make mediation application in Turkey. Lawyers can help explain both Turkish law and the mediation process in detail, ensuring that the application is properly made. Additionally, for non-Turkish speakers, interpreter assistance can be provided to avoid communication issues.

In conclusion, foreigners can apply for mediation process in Turkey, and seeking legal support during this process is essential for ensuring the protection of their legal rights.

DUTIES OF MEDIATION CENTERS IN TURKEY

Mediation centers in Turkey are established to oversee the activities of mediators and are affiliated with the Ministry of Justice’s Mediation Department. These centers are responsible for providing services in accordance with mediation regulations and adhering to ethical and professional standards. Additionally, mediation centers in Turkey are responsible for organizing mediation processes effectively, often involving expert and specialist support when necessary.

Mediation centers in Turkey can accept applications for mandatory mediation as assigned by the Ministry of Justice or, upon the request of the parties, initiate voluntary (optional) mediation processes to resolve disputes peacefully.

The mediation center established within C&B Law Office is authorized by the Ministry of Justice to handle both mandatory mediation applications and to facilitate voluntary mediation processes with a team of expert mediators. The center aims to resolve disputes peacefully between parties.