Introduction

Public disputes refer to the disagreements between authorities and citizens or other organizations, in the process of resource allocation for public projects or of public policy design and implementation. The complexity of these disputes is given by the sheer number of parties involved, by the complexity of issues and interests at stake, by the need of very diverse expertise and by the effects they can have at community and even national level.

By offering a structured framework for dialogue, mediation can be a useful tool of conflict resolution. Mediation brings all stakeholders at the same table, opens and manages channels of communication and contributes to building and observing the agenda of negotiations, proving that it is, in many cases, the most cost-effective, rapid and efficient method of addressing public disputes. On the side, as a benefit, it can also increase trust in public authorities.

What is mediation

But what exactly is mediation and how does a typical mediation process look like? 

Mediation is a confidential process of communication and negotiation that is managed by a neutral and impartial professional with no decision-making abilities, the mediator. The aim is to prevent, manage, resolve or end a dispute, thus avoiding the increase of tensions, costs and risks, generated even by taking it in the courts of law. Mediation gives all participants the opportunity to craft the rules that govern the dialogue process, to have a voice, to present their perspectives and to propose options that take into account what is most important to them.

In order to achieve these objectives, the mediator can meet jointly but also separately with the participants in the mediation. Also, in order to ensure all the conditions for an informed decision, the parties are encouraged to be advised in the mediation room by lawyers or other advisors. They have an essential role and become veritable agents of reality in mediation.

Specialized mediators

All our mediators are seasoned professionals with solid knowledge, skills and certified experience in the dispute resolution field. Yet, some of the ADR Center Romania mediators are specialized.

To see a list our mediators specialized in mediating public disputes, click here.