Study trip to Ireland - 12-16 December 2022

A delegation comprising civil servants of the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration of the Republic of Croatia, judges, representatives of the Croatian Mediation Association and one lawyer, visited the Republic of Ireland from 12 to 16 December 2022 under the project “Reinforcing the system of court-annexed mediation”, co-financed by Norway Grants.

In 2017, a Mediation Act was adopted In Ireland which defines the legal framework of mediation, but also stipulates an obligation for lawyers to inform the party before bringing an action that it is in their best interest to resolve the dispute through mediation.
Therefore, the purpose of the study visit to Ireland was to gain insight into the alternative dispute resolution system for judges, lawyers and parties.

During the study visit, the delegation visited the institutions involved in the design and implementation of court-annexed and out-of-court mediation systems, as well as training institutions.

During a visit to the Law Society of Ireland, lawyers, mediators and arbitrators presented to the delegation how lawyers in Ireland accept mediation and their obligation to inform the parties.

Officials, judges and arbitrators of the Courts Service presented to the delegation the framework of mediation in Ireland as well as the organisation of the justice system in Ireland.

During a visit to the Legal Aid Board, the delegation followed the course of mediation in family disputes, discussed various perspectives on family mediation in Ireland and exchanged views on mediation training.

In addition, a meeting was held with Norwegian partners regarding the study trips and the upcoming research study.