EU Cross-Border Mediation in Civil, Commercial, and Family Matters

Mediation plays a key role in judicial cooperation within the European Union, particularly in resolving civil (including family) and commercial disputes efficiently, amicably, and cost-effectively. The EU has introduced several legislative and practical measures to promote mediation, recognising its potential to reduce litigation, save time, and foster mutually acceptable outcomes.

At the heart of this framework is the Mediation Directive (2008/52/EC), which applies to cross-border disputes in civil and commercial matters. It encourages mediation use, supports the enforceability of agreements, and ensures key safeguards, including confidentiality and the suspension of limitation periods. The ADR Directive (2013/11/EU) complements this framework, particularly in consumer disputes, and aligns with the EU’s broader judicial cooperation goals.

This course offers a comprehensive overview of EU legal and policy frameworks governing mediation, including recent developments, national implementation, and cross-border challenges.

Participants will examine how mediation operates across key sectors:

• Family law, where it supports non-adversarial solutions in matters such as custody and parental responsibility, with reference to the Brussels II-ter Regulation and the Maintenance Regulation.
• Commercial disputes, where mediation provides flexible, interest-based solutions and is increasingly supported by ADR centres and business institutions.

The programme also explores judicial cooperation tools that encourage mediation – such as the European e-Justice Portal and court-annexed mediation – and reflects on current EU policy initiatives and technological innovations, including the growing use of digital platforms and AI tools in mediation practice.

You will learn about:

• The legal foundations and scope of the Mediation Directive (2008/52/EC) and its relationship with the ADR Directive (2013/11/EU)
• Practical enforcement of mediated agreements across Member States
• Best practices in family and commercial mediation, including cross-border cases
• Judicial cooperation tools that promote mediation in civil and family law
• The impact of digitalisation, online platforms, and AI on mediation practice

The course combines expert-led presentations, practical case studies, and interactive group discussions. It emphasises comparative analysis and real-world examples to deepen participants’ understanding of how EU mediation law functions in practice. Each session includes Q&A time and encourages experience-sharing among participants.

Interactive components include:

• Case-based discussions
• Peer-to-peer exchange on implementation challenges

This course will help you:

• Understand the EU’s approach to promoting mediation in civil, commercial and family law
• Apply key legal concepts in practical contexts, including enforcement and judicial support for mediation
• Recognise cross-border challenges and identify possible solutions through shared experience
• Stay up to date with recent EU case law and policy discussions on the role of ADR
• Explore new trends such as digital platforms and AI tools in mediation

This course is designed for EU and national civil servants, lawyers and in-house counsel dealing with cross-border disputes.

Project number: 2650702

Course venue
European Centre for Judges and Lawyers – EIPA Luxembourg
8 rue Nicolas Adames
1114 Luxembourg

Programme Organiser
Ms Elisa Dolci
Tel: +352 691 108 038
e.dolci@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments, and a lunch. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
EIPA offers 10% off on registrations made eight weeks or more before the start of a course. The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Hotel reservations
EIPA has special price arrangements with a number of hotels. Most rates are including breakfast and tourist tax. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please book directly via the links below. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.

Luxembourg Kirchberg

• Hotel Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg****, at the rate of €205; e-mail: H1930-RE2@accor.com, booking page: accorhotels.com (SC number : SC000002048 – code : IN281LU654).

Luxembourg Centre

• Hotel Simoncini****, at the rate of €240., tel.: +352 22 28 44; e-mail: simhotel@pt.lu; https://www.hotelsimoncini.lu/.
• Hotel Parc Plaza****, at the rate of €179-224, +352 44 23 23 23 23, e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com
• Hotel Parc Bellevue***, at the rate of €144-188, https://www.goereshotels.com, +352 44 23 23 23 23; e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com;

Luxembourg Dommeldange

• Hotel Parc Alvisse****, at the rate of €125, +352 43 56 43 81 08, e-mail: reception@parc-hotel.lu

Luxembourg Belair

• Hotel Parc Belair****, at the rate of €196-236, +352 44 23 23 23 23, e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com
• Hotel The Rose****, at the rate of €216-236, +352 44 23 23 23 23, e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com

Luxembourg Limpertsberg (closest to EIPA)

• Hotel Victor Hugo****, at the rate of €165, +352 26 27 440, e-mail: info@victorhugo.bestwestern.de

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants. EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.