Mediator registration

Mediation is already a reality in Spain. The Minister of Justice, Alberto Ruíz-Gallardón, announced that “shortly” two Royal Decrees will be approved: one who will create the Registry of Mediators and Mediation Institutions and another that will develop mediation through electronic means to make it accessible to people with disabilities or those who have limitations due to geographical reasons.

Gallardón's words at the III Courts and Mediation Symposium promoted by GEMME on the 26th and 27th were encouraging for mediation professionals who are waiting for the legal framework to be finally established to carry out the activity with full guarantees. And the truth is that the current social and judicial context increasingly demands the implementation of alternatives that allow conflicts to be resolved in a more peaceful and humane way, with the parties being the ones to solve their own problems.

Regarding the content of the Registry, The specialty, training, experience and territorial scope of action will be included. of each mediator, opening a wide range of possibilities not only for lawyers but also for psychologists, social workers, technical engineers and, ultimately, any university graduate or higher vocational training, all of them trained in mediation and specialized in conflict resolution.

Another reason why the Government promotes mediation is due to its cost, which is much lower (a cheaper 76%) than ordinary justice and is five times faster (resolutions in an average of 88 days compared to the 548 it takes for the judicial resolution to arrive), according to World Bank data prepared throughout 2012 and released at the Symposium. Obviously, it is a fact that is of interest to public administrations to streamline processes and also allows a reduction in budgets that, today, seem to be scarce.

In short, we are faced with a more modern justice system willing to renew itself, which advocates for the culture of peace and offers new professional opportunities thanks to mediation, which will soon begin to firmly take its first steps with a long way to go.