European Code of Conduct for Mediators

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The Code of Conduct sets out principles which individual mediators may undertake voluntarily and on their own responsibility. The Code can be used by mediators in the various types of mediation in civil and commercial matters.

Organizations providing mediation services may also commit themselves to compliance by calling on the mediators acting on their behalf to comply with the Code of Conduct. Organizations may provide information on the measures they take to promote compliance with the Code by individual mediators, such as training, assessment and monitoring.

For the purposes of the Code of Conduct, mediation is a structured process, irrespective of its name, in which two or more parties, on a voluntary basis, attempt to reach an agreement on the settlement of their disputes with the help of a third party (hereinafter "the mediator").

Compliance with the Code of Conduct is without prejudice to the relevant national legislation or rules on the regulation of individual professions. Organizations providing mediation services may wish to develop more detailed codes that address their specific environment, the type of mediation services they offer, or specific areas (eg mediation in family matters or consumer issues).