The signing of a trilateral agreement on cooperation in the implementation and popularization of mediation procedures took place on November 30th, Monday, at the Moscow Region Business Ombudsman's Office on Rublevo-Uspenskoe Highway.

Within the framework of the working meeting, the Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneur's Rights in the Moscow Region Vladimir Golovnev, the Chairman of the Forestry Committee of the Moscow Region Elena Kazimir, and the head of the Mediation Center of the Moscow Region Maria Svetlova, also discussed issues related to the prompt exchange of information when considering complaints about violations of rights and legal interests of  entrepreneurs, as well as information cooperation and joint activities, including those aimed at legal education of small and medium-sized business.

    During the meeting, the parties noted the benefits of using an alternative dispute settlement procedure.

   “The mediation procedure is an alternative way to resolve a dispute between business entities.  It is aimed at finding a mutually acceptable option for resolving a conflict situation, taking into account the interests of each party, in contrast to court proceedings, where the efforts of the parties are focused only on winning the case.  The signing of the agreement is another step towards the popularization of a peaceful way of resolving conflicts and the use of all possible ways for the introduction of mediation on the territory of our region", said Vladimir Golovnev, the Moscow Region Business Ombudsman.

    At the end of the meeting, the parties consolidated the signed agreements by signing a trilateral cooperation agreement.

    The Moscow Region is one of the first subjects of the Russian Federation with a similar practice of interaction and cooperation in the mediation development between various departments.

    At the moment, there is also a process of signing cooperation agreements in the municipalities of the Moscow Region, according to the model of regional agreements.  Trilateral agreements between the administration, the head of the public reception office of the Business Ombudsman and mediators have already been signed in Krasnogorsk, Yegoryevsk and Reutov urban districts. Gradual signing is planned in other municipalities of the Moscow Region.  In particular, work is underway to prepare the signing of agreements in 15 more municipalities of the Moscow Region.

    “At the end of September 2019, a regional Mediation Center was established in the Moscow Region.  With the emergence of the Center, explanatory work began, in turn, entrepreneurs began to take an active interest in out-of-court settlement of disputes.  This year, the heads of public reception offices of the Business Ombudsman, along with the Mediation Center, considered 517 complaints from entrepreneurs.  At the stage of consideration of the appeal (oral or written), the heads of public reception offices who have already received training in mediation procedures, decisions are made on the possibility of pre-trial settlement of the dispute.  The entrepreneur is explained what mediation is, how and in what sequence of actions it is possible to resolve any difficult situation. 

     Thus, after clarifying all the details, assessing the situation and obtaining the consent of the applicant, mediation procedures are launched, which significantly save time and nerves for all parties to the conflict", concluded Vladimir Golovnev.