A parliamentarian raised concerns regarding the practices of mediators, suggesting that in some instances, mediators may employ coercive mechanisms, abuse legal rights, or fail to adequately defend the interests of the child in disputes involving parents. Speaking at a press conference in the Seimas on Monday, E. Gentvilas detailed procedural weaknesses within the mediation process.
He noted that, practically, mediators are frequently selected by only one parent, rather than through mutual consent between the parents. The court may then validate this selection, effectively compelling the other parent to accept the mediator’s terms and assume responsibility for the associated services. A key structural issue identified is the absence of standardized contracts for mediation services.
Gentvilas stated that courts often accept documentation prepared solely by the mediation institutions, requiring the parents to adhere to these documents even when such terms may be unacceptable to them. The discussion also included remarks from Dr. Agnė Tvaronavičienė, who addressed how mediation can assist in addressing certain conflicts.
Overall, the parliamentary assessment highlighted a need for greater procedural safeguards to ensure that mediation remains a fair and balanced process for all involved parties.
Topics: #not #parents #services
