1. Family Mediation in the Republic of Montenegro Ms. Branka Lakocevic Deputy Minister of Justice Republic of Montenegro MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Sofia, 03/04 July 2007

2. Mediation in Montenegro is regulated by Law on Mediation (May 2005)

3. Law on Mediation - mediation procedure in civil disputes (family disputes, commercial and other property legal relations) Law on Mediation - mediation procedure in civil disputes (family disputes, commercial and other property legal relations) Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law - mediation in criminal matters Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law - mediation in criminal matters

4. Accomplished goals: Adoption of Regulation on training curriculum for mediators Adoption of Regulation on training curriculum for mediators Establishing of the Commission for appointment and dismissal of mediators Establishing of the Commission for appointment and dismissal of mediators Providing of training for the first mediators with the assistance of international programmes and organizations (regional CARDS 2003 judiciary program, OSCE, Save the Children, UNICEF) Providing of training for the first mediators with the assistance of international programmes and organizations (regional CARDS 2003 judiciary program, OSCE, Save the Children, UNICEF) Establishing of the Centre for Mediation Establishing of the Centre for Mediation

5. Special Mediation Procedure in Family Disputes including: Marriage disputes Marriage disputes Disputes involving parents and children Disputes involving parents and children Child maintenance dispute Child maintenance dispute … Special attention is paid to the Right of the Child…

6. Who can be the Mediator? Professionals with needed experience in work with Children's Rights Professionals with needed experience in work with Children's Rights Professionals with adequate educational background: Pedagogues, Psychologists, Social Workers, Lawyers, Professors, Judges. Professionals with adequate educational background: Pedagogues, Psychologists, Social Workers, Lawyers, Professors, Judges. Additional criteria: Professionals who have passed Training on Mediation in Family Disputes Professionals who have passed Training on Mediation in Family Disputes

7. Family Law (September 1, 2007) -mandatory mediation in divorce-

8. The best interest of the child Mediation in Civil and `Criminal Proceedings enables better protection of child rights and application of the best interest of the child principle instead of applying regular court procedure. Mediation in Civil and `Criminal Proceedings enables better protection of child rights and application of the best interest of the child principle instead of applying regular court procedure. This project aimed to introduce mediation in civil and criminal proceeding is an example of good cooperation between the state, civil sector and international organizations. This project aimed to introduce mediation in civil and criminal proceeding is an example of good cooperation between the state, civil sector and international organizations.

9. Next steps: Strengthen the Centre for Mediation capacitiesStrengthen the Centre for Mediation capacities Enable specialization and training for mediatorsEnable specialization and training for mediators Promote mediationPromote mediation

10. Thank you for your attention