Not every dispute needs to end up in court. Mediation is a modern, effective, and discreet way of resolving conflicts – with the help of a professional and neutral mediator. Instead of going through lengthy and expensive court proceedings, the parties themselves reach a solution that satisfies both sides.

The institutional framework of mediation in Croatia includes both court-annexed and out-of-court mediation.

Court-annexed mediation is organized within the judicial system.

Out-of-court mediation is conducted either within accredited mediation institutions or independently by a certified mediator.

Compared to traditional litigation, mediation offers numerous advantages – shorter duration, lower costs, reduced court workload, and better protection of privacy. Mediation is significantly faster: while lawsuits may take years, a mediated agreement can often be reached in just a few sessions. This helps avoid emotional strain and business disruption, especially in family, commercial, and labor disputes.

Moreover, mediation is financially more accessible and requires fewer formalities. A settlement reached in mediation can have the force of an enforceable title, saving both time and money.

Unlike litigation, which is adversarial by nature, mediation encourages cooperation and joint problem-solving. A mediated settlement has the same legal effect as a court judgment, but is achieved faster, with lower costs, and with relationships preserved. For that reason, mediation is a more efficient, economical, and humane way of resolving disputes.

Croatia first established a legal framework for mediation in 2003 with the Mediation Act (Official Gazette 163/03), later amended in 2009 and replaced in 2011. In 2023, the Act on Peaceful Dispute Resolution (Official Gazette 67/23) came into force, and in 2025, the Government submitted a Proposal for the Mediation Act, which will replace the previous law once adopted.

To implement the Act, the Center for Peaceful Dispute Resolution was founded, and under the new proposal, it will continue its work as the National Center for Mediation. The Center maintains the Register of Mediation Institutions, currently listing nine accredited institutions authorized to conduct mediator training and mediation procedures.

The Act and the proposed Mediation Law extend the scope of mediation to civil, commercial, labor, family, administrative, and other disputes involving rights that parties may freely exercise. However, in practice, this broader scope has not led to wider use of mediation due to unclear provisions and limited awareness.

The most significant innovation in the Proposed Mediation Act is the obligation for parties to attempt peaceful dispute resolution before filing a lawsuit. While failure to do so carries no formal sanction, there is a positive financial incentive – exemption from the court filing fee if a mediation proposal was offered before filing the claim (Art. 13 of the Draft Law).

In certain cases – such as inheritance and small claims disputes – failure to attempt mediation may result in a cost sanction: the party loses the right to recover legal costs regardless of the case outcome (Art. 33/3).

Despite its advantages, mediation remains underutilized in Croatia. The main reasons include:

However, building such a culture leads to savings, faster outcomes, and less stress for everyone involved.

Our law firm supports clients throughout the entire mediation process by:

We believe that most disputes can be resolved through dialogue rather than conflict. Our approach is based on calm, reasoned, and professional negotiation, ensuring your rights are protected in an efficient, discreet, and civil manner.

If you are facing a civil, commercial, or inheritance dispute and wish to resolve it without lengthy court proceedings – contact us. Our team of experienced lawyers will guide you through the mediation process and help you reach the best possible agreement.