Since last year, around 50 specially trained professionals have been registered with "Family Mediation", a new service created to offer families in conflict situations a more humane than legal approach.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said that because the service is relatively new, an awareness campaign was launched on Thursday that will run until the end of the month to let people know that there is an alternative to going to court.

"This is a particularly important institution," said the minister. It was created in 2023 following the adoption of the 2019 Law on Mediation in Family Disputes and the accompanying Ordinance of 2022.

He said the Family Mediation Act is a useful legal tool that can make a positive contribution to the out-of-court resolution of family disputes and can "significantly improve communication and relationships between family members after a divorce".

Hartsiotis said it has proven effective and useful in other European countries, especially in divorce. Disagreements between partners could involve anything from parental custody, child support, alimony issues, to disputes over joint property.

"We expect that this will give thousands of citizens the opportunity to resolve their disputes in a friendlier and more humane setting, away from courtrooms and court proceedings, which are generally more time-consuming, grueling and expensive," the minister said.

This is to be the central theme of the awareness campaign. The process is fast, inexpensive, confidential and "without conflict, attrition and family trauma".

"It is a process that, in a climate of consensus and cooperation, seeks to find mutually acceptable solutions, with the aim of limiting conflicts and rivalries and maintaining the most healthy and functioning relationships between family members and especially between parents and their children," he said.

"Regardless of the outcome of a marriage or a relationship between adults, one must not disregard the fact that the bond with children is not broken without reason."

Mediation is done with the support of an independent, professional mediator, Hartsiotis said, adding that these come from the fields of law, psychology and social work. So far, 50 mediators are registered with his ministry.

"It is important to emphasize that mediation is based on the voluntary participation of the parties in the process and no attempt is made to impose solutions," he said.

"The aim of mediation is to propose mutually acceptable solutions and to support the parties in making decisions that are most beneficial for their own well-being and well-being, but above all for that of their children."

He added that it was "self-evident" that solutions reached through mediation were often more sustainable and effective, and could prevent the recurrence of similar disputes in the future.

The campaign, launched on Thursday, includes a radio spot, video, digital ads, graphics, printed materials with useful information and materials disseminated through the mass media and social media.





Source: CyprusMail.com
author/text
Jean Christou