Poland Approves Creation of National Mediators Register and Standardized Training Requirements
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TL;DR
- Poland's government approved a draft law to create a National Mediators Register.
- The bill introduces new standards and requirements for court mediators and training institutions.
- Current paper-based, decentralized lists would be replaced by a central electronic register.
- The law aims to improve quality and access to mediation in Poland's justice system.
Overview
On August 6, 2026, the Polish government approved a draft law to establish a National Mediators Register and set minimum training and certification requirements for court mediators and mediation training institutions. The reform addresses concerns about inconsistent mediator qualifications and the lack of a unified database of professionals conducting court-directed mediations.
What Happened
The Ministry of Justice presented a draft law aiming to regulate the profession of court mediator in Poland.
The law introduces the 'court mediator' category, replacing the previous 'permanent mediator' term, and specifies requirements for candidates, including legal capacity, age, higher education, Polish language proficiency (B2), and a clean criminal record.
Prospective court mediators would need to complete a 40-hour basic training and additional specialized courses, unless exempt, and register in the new central National Mediators Register.
Mediators must undergo further training every five years to remain listed. The Register will also include approved mediation training institutions, which must meet quality and personnel criteria and be subject to Ministry oversight.
An independent Mediation Council will be established to advise on training standards and ethics. The centralized system replaces fragmented, often outdated, local paper-based lists and seeks to ensure accurate, up-to-date information about mediators and institutions.
Context
Currently, lists of court mediators in Poland are maintained individually by presidents of regional courts, sometimes only in paper form, leading to outdated or incomplete data.
The proliferation of low-quality training providers has made it easy for unqualified individuals to receive certifications, according to the Ministry, prompting the need for stricter regulation.
Why It Matters
- The reforms aim to raise the professionalism and consistency of court mediation in Poland by clarifying entry requirements, improving training quality, and centralizing information for courts and the public.
- A national register is expected to facilitate access to credible, well-trained court mediators and enable better oversight by authorities.