The National Register of Mediators and the Self-Government of Mediators. The Path to the Professionalization of the Mediation Profession

Abstract

This article is an attempt to explore the possibilities of intensifying work on the professionalization of the mediation profession. In view of the further development of mediation in Poland, it is crucial to continue efforts to professionalize this profession, including the introduction of comprehensive legal regulations, the establishment of uniform training and ethical standards, and the promotion of mediation as an effective and valuable method of dispute resolution. Statutory regulation of the mediation profession, i.e. the unification of the qualifications and professional competences of mediators, can increase trust in the institution of mediation as one of the most important methods of alternative dispute resolution. The direction of changes – such as the creation of the National Register of Mediators and discussions on the introduction of mandatory training and examinations – indicates a move toward a more formalized model, similar to European solutions. Maintaining a balance is crucial to avoid losing the key advantages of mediation, such as flexibility and accessibility. The final step could be the establishment of a professional self-government for mediators, in which the mediator will be a person of public trust, and the self-government will oversee the proper and dignified performance of the mediator’s profession. Of course, professionalization should not mean excessively limiting the number of mediators or hindering access to the profession for competent persons.