The mediation institute in Kazakhstan is only developing. Not all citizens are aware of alternative methods of dispute resolution. The main goal of mediation is to reduce conflict in society, to prevent it and to preserve peace. During its implementation, the situation, organization, regulations and content of the process can be determined individually.
In OpenAlmaty there are representatives of the Public Association «Professional Mediators» that allows citizens to learn all about mediation, its advantages, about the possibility of solving many problems by reaching agreements, by passing litigation.
The algorithm of mediators' work in the Public Reception Is as follows:
The person who has decided to settle the dispute through the mediation procedure here also applies for mediation;
- The mediator provides a registry of professional mediators and the person selects any mediator from the registry;
- the application goes to the chosen mediator and the mediator begins to work with the second party. Mediation is possible in a dedicated office in OpenAlmaty. The principle of confidentiality is maintained. The above mediation procedures are carried out as soon as possible - within one or two days.
Since the opening of OpenAlmaty, more than two hundred citizens have applied to the media to the «Professional Mediators» on labor, housing, hereditary, marriage and family issues.
Some agreements were made between the former spouses. For example, one of them concerned the division of jointly acquired property; the other was concluded between the spouses to determine the place of permanent residence of minor children with one of the spouses, the definition of child support payments and the division of property in pre-trial order; the third was concluded by the heirs on the division of hereditary property.
Legal counselling services are provided for all appeals of citizens, and explanations are given on the procedure of appeals to the judicial authorities. Alternative ways of resolving disputes out of court are also explained, including through mediation, which can reduce financial costs, time and most importantly, good relationships.
Here are a few examples. One of the disputes was resolved as follows: Michael (name changed) appealed to the mediator that his employer - PI does not pay him a salary for 5 months in the amount of 750,000 tenge, explaining that their customer delays payment. Michael sought advice from OpenAlmaty, where the mediator explained to him about civil rights and offered to resolve the dispute out of court, through the mediation procedure. The specialist turned to the employer, met with him, talked and a day later the employer made a full payment. There was no mediation agreement, and the conflict was exhausted.
Legal entities also use mediation services. For example, the construction company has applied for the contractor's underpayment of funds for the construction work performed in the amount of 22,870,000 tenge. There was a conflict between them, moreover, the company could not pay the wages of its workers in time for 4 months, who were about to go to court.
Mediators Of Open Almaty urge citizens to solve their problems in a civilized way and without bringing the situation to court, because mediation allows to save time, money and emotional forces.
