Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

A bureau of mediation services may be established in Azerbaijan in 2017 to promote stable and constructive dispute resolution on a number of issues.

The measure is envisaged in the Strategic Road Map for the manufacture of small and medium entrepreneurship-level consumer goods in Azerbaijan.

Under the document, a bill on mediation services will be prepared in the country next year to define ways of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) without going to trial. The bill is expected to define main objectives and principles of the service and provide equal rights for each side.

Mediation is deemed to be a form of ADR, which provides effective ways of resolving disputes. The process involves an independent third party - a mediator - who assist both sides in negotiation of a settlement and arriving at an outcome that both parties are ready to accept.

Being a voluntary process and taking place if both parties agree, the mediation is also confidential and the terms of discussion are not disclosed to any party outside the hearing.

Members of the bureau will be defined by relevant state institutions. The implementation of the measure is not expected to require big volumes of investment.

The Road Map comprises short-term (until 2020), medium-term (until 2025) and long-term measures (post 2025) to be implemented in the sphere. Investments worth over 700 million manats ($398.2 million) will be required to implement measures envisaged in the document.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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