1. Mediation in Lithuania: challenges and opportunities Dr. Rimantas Simaitis Associated Professor of Vilnius University, Attorney-at-law, Mediator, former president of CEPEJ-GT-MED Vilnius, 25 October 2012

2. Potential positive impact Establishment of universal means of dispute resolution Promotion of interest-based sensible culture Better satisfaction with the result Expediency and cost-efficiency Alleviation of burden of courts’ caseload Ease of social tensions 2

3. Development Community mediation and analogous projects from 1998 Court conciliation from 2003 In-court mediation pilot project from 2006, extended in 2007 Law on Mediation in Civil Disputes adopted on 15 July 2008 3

4. Education Established mediation programs at universities Continuous education and mediation training for professionals (judges, attorneys, bailiffs, others)

5. Challenges Pro-litigious approach Low level of mediation awareness Mediation projects’ budgetary restraints

6. Trends Culture of amicable resolution is improving Mediation awareness is growing Knowledge and experience as well Success stories 6

7. Opportunities Further evolution of in-court mediation Establishment of State supported family, labour and/or penal mediation schemes Promotion of commercial mediation at Vilnius Court of Commercial Arbitration Increase of financing for public schemes Financial support for private mediation initiatives 7

8. 8 I is worth trying...

9. Thank you! E-mail: rimantas.simaitis@rln.ltrimantas.simaitis@rln.lt 9