Samenvatting

The author notices that more and more Belgian judges seem to have understood what mediation is and what benefits it can bring to litigating parties over adjudicated solutions. Currently, judges have no means to force the parties to try to settle their dispute through mediation. Judicial initiatives aimed at convincing the parties and their lawyers to try mediation, are too often simply ignored. The article contains quotes from various tribunals advocating or ordering mediation before the continuation of the trial. The author’s argument is that the law should enable judges to force the parties to mediation, i.e. at least to participate in a joint session with the designated mediator. He describes what ought to be included. A new bill is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Justice – inspired by the Netherlands model – that will change the rules of civil procedure with a view to enhancing recourse to mediation.