Mark Attard Montalto appointed Malta Mediation Centre chairman

Lawyer Mark Attard Montalto has been appointed chairman of the Malta Mediation Centre.

According to Justice Minister Owen Bonnici, the centre will be key to a better justice system.

At the Mediation Centre, the parties may reach a solution with the assistance of a mediator. Mediation proceedings may be resorted to either voluntarily, by a court order, or by law.

The parties may request the Centre to provide a mediator if they do not mutually agree on one from a list of mediators approved by the Centre. Each party may be assisted by a lawyer or any other person before or during the mediation. The Maltese language is used during the mediation process, unless the parties agree otherwise.

The mediation ends either: when the parties reach an agreement in writing or if the mediator states in writing that the mediation is terminated, or if he believes that the parties cannot arrive at a solution to their dispute; or if one of the parties chooses not to continue with the mediation process.

The parties may also agree in writing that the settlement agreement may be enforced as if it were a Court Decision.

A non-refundable fee is paid to the Centre. The registration fees apply according to the kind of dispute and must be paid in advance.