Mediation Framework Adopted In Russia

A set of mediation laws¹ came into effect in Russia on January 1, 2011, creating a framework for the extra-judicial mediation of disputes, using independent parties as mediators, with the aim of reducing the burden on the Russian judicial system.

Mediation is defined as an out-of-court procedure for settling disputes, conducted with the consent of the disputing parties. Mediation must be conducted according to the principles that it is voluntary and confidential, the parties must be cooperative and be treated equally, and the mediator must be impartial and independent.

Mediation is not a new development in Russia, but the Law on Mediation has institutionalized mediation through a comprehensive legal framework, which is a welcome new development. The Arbitrazh Procedure Code previously set out the possibility of using an intermediary for settling disputes, as well as the possibility of settling disputes through conciliation procedures. However, the Law on Mediation