What is mediation?

Mediation is an opportunity for the victim and the offender to deal with the issues of making amends and compensating for the physical, mental and material damages caused by the crime. Mediation is also applicable to minor disputes.

In mediation the parties can encounter each other in good faith under the agency of an impartial mediator and personally affect the outcome of their own case. The goal is to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties.

The agreement may concern compensation for damages or other action that helps the parties to arrive at a mutual settlement. The parties may agree that the compensation be paid with money, work, or some other kind of restitution.

Mediation is always

• voluntary
• confidential
• impartial
• free of charge

The voluntariness of mediation means that participation is always voluntary for both parties. Also, mediation can be discontinued at any stage if either party finds that it is not proceeding according to the goals set for it.

Confidentiality means that the mediators are under obligation to observe secrecy. Mediation is governed by the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999).

Impartiality means that the mediators act without bias and with respect towards all the parties concerned in mediation.

Mediation is free of charge for the parties concerned.