site.btaParliament Introduces in Principle Mandatory Mediation Appointment

The Bulgarian National Assembly on Wednesday approved on first reading a proposal to introduce mandatory mediation sessions in certain civil and commercial cases. The vote was 150-15, with 32 abstentions. The amendments to the Civil Procedure Code were submitted by the Council of Ministers.

Under the proposed changes, any party who fails to attend a mandatory mediation session without a valid reason or refuses to participate when ordered by the court will face a fine.

Vazrazhdane MP Tsveta Rangelova criticized the measure, calling mandatory mediation one of “the eccentric ideas of [Continue the Change Co-Chair] Assen Vassilev.” She questioned the motives to include it in the national recovery plan, suggesting it would mainly benefit NGOs. “Mediation is undeniably a voluntary alternative method for dispute resolution,” Rangelova said.

MP Petar Petrov argued that mediation is not a relevant or effective tool in Bulgaria, citing statistics. Only 323 mediation procedures were conducted in 2023, and 286 in 2024. Vazrazhdane will not support the government’s bill, he announced, but will back a competing proposal from the Left.

Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev defended the proposed changes to the Civil Procedure Code, stressing the importance of ensuring equal rights for all citizens — including the right to be informed about out-of-court dispute resolution options.

“No matter how much we criticize mediation, it is part of the national Recovery and Resilience Plan,” Georgiev recalled. He said that in 2024, 30% — or roughly one-third — of cases that went to mediation were successfully resolved through the process. “While that is not a particularly strong result, it shows potential,” he said, explaining the rationale behind introducing a mandatory session, which he described as a consultation aimed at highlighting the benefits of mediation.