PUBLICATIONS
The Family Mediation Regulations have been approved by the House of Representatives based on article 43 of the Mediation in Family Disputes Law of 2019. These regulations provide for the determination of the registration fee, the determination of the Mediator’s remuneration and the special training that the Mediators must have completed successfully in order to be registered in the Mediators’ registry.
The House of Representatives approved the Family Mediation Regulations, which have been forthcoming for about three years, in accordance with article 43 of the Family Mediation Law of 2019.
These Regulations provide for the determination of the fee for registration in the Register of Family Mediators, the determination of the mediator’s fee for conducting mediations, the determination of special training required for registration in the Register of Family Dispute Mediators and the determination of the matters relating to the continuing professional training of mediators.
Registration Fee
According to the Regulations, for registration in the Register of Family Dispute Mediators, the amount of €30 is paid once.
Determination of mediator’s fee
The mediator’s fee is a matter of agreement between the parties and unless otherwise agreed, the fees are as follows:
For all disputes except Property Disputes the fee is €60 per hour.
For Property Disputes:
| Up to €10,000 | €50 per hour |
| Between €10,000 – €50,000 | €60 per hour |
| Between €50,000 – €100,000 | €80 per hour |
| Between €100,000 – €500,000 | €100 per hour |
| Above €500,000 | €150 per hour |
The above fee does not include any interest and expenses such as expenses for renting premises or expert fees, etc.
The fee is paid jointly by the parties, but the parties are allowed to agree otherwise.
Education
In order to register a person in the Register of Family Mediators, the successful completion of a special training program for mediators is required. This seminar’s duration is fifty hours and must be provided by an academic institution of higher education or a Center certified by HRDA and approved by the Competent Authority.
The trainers who deliver the special education programs should hold a university degree or diploma recognized by the competent body in the Republic in law, psychology or social work and have four years of professional experience in their area of expertise. This means that for mediation matters the trainer should have knowledge of mediation, while for family law matters the trainer should have relevant knowledge and experience in this field.
The special education program consists of:
Theoretical training lasting at least forty (40) hours
The education should include training in the legal framework of the Republic in relation to various family law legislation (such as the Parent-Child Relations Law, the Spouse Property Law, the Marriage Law, the Family Courts Law, etc.) Relevant provisions for domestic violence as well as child rights issues should also be included.
In relation to mediation, special training should be given in the basic principles and procedures followed in mediation, the obligations and duties of the mediator and the parties involved in the mediation, with special reference to the handling of incidents of violence. Special reference should also be made to the principles of psychology with reference to matters of conflict management, approaching children and victims of violence, drafting mediation and conciliation agreements, the Code of Ethics for mediators in family disputes, mediation techniques, etc.
Practical training lasting at least ten (10) hours
Practical training should include practical application of mediation, negotiation, and communication techniques.
The subject of continuing practical training is provided for by the Law. The Law, in article 11, states that a person who is registered in the Register of Family Mediators continues his training in mediation matters by completing at least twenty-four (24) hours of training every three years, the first three years starting from the expiration of three (3) years from the date of his registration in the Register of Mediators, and submits a relevant certificate of continued training to the Ministry of Justice and Public Order.
