Mediation Reform Activities In Armenia

Mediation Reform Activities in Armenia

Project Overview

In 2023, the Ministry of Justice of Armenia, with support from the Council of Europe (CoE), the European Union, and other partners such as UNDP, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Arbitration and Mediation Center of Armenia (AMCA), launched a comprehensive reform to strengthen mediation as a cornerstone of Armenia’s justice system. This initiative is part of the Partnership for Good Governance (PGG) and the Support to Justice Reform in Armenia program, co-funded by the EU and CoE.

The reform aims to:

Establish a mandatory mediation system for family law disputes (introduced by 2022 Civil Procedure Code amendments).
Create a pool of qualified mediators and a sustainable network of trainers.
Develop certification programs, assessment criteria, and exam formats.
Implement a Training of Trainers (ToT) program to ensure long-term capacity building.

Prof. Sophio Chachava, Dean of the School of Law at New Vision University, together with other international experts, played a key role in designing curricula, leading training sessions, and preparing materials and reports.

Key Activities & Timeline

November 2023 – First intensive mediation training.
April–May 2024 – Third qualification training course for mediators.
June 2024 – Advanced workshops for practicing mediators and exchange of best practices with international experts.
November 2024 – Establishment of a national pool of mediators to meet mandatory mediation requirements.
December 2024 – AMCA strategic development activities and cooperation agreements to strengthen institutional capacity for mediation.
September 2025 – Training of Trainers (ToT) program organized to prepare national experts for future mediation training programs.

Impact

Creation of a qualified mediator community across Armenia.
Reduction of court backlog through mandatory mediation for family disputes.
Institutional strengthening of AMCA and integration of international best practices.
Long-term sustainability through ToT programs and local trainer capacity.