Armenia Makes Mediation Mandatory Before Going to Court for Family Disputes

Starting July 1, Armenia has introduced a major legal change in how family disputes are handled. Before taking certain family-related cases to court, people are now required to go through mediation first. This step is meant to give families a chance to resolve their problems peacefully without immediately turning to the legal system.

The new rule was introduced by the Ministry of Justice, which believes that mediation is a faster, more affordable, and less stressful way to settle disputes. The idea is to encourage families to talk, listen, and find common ground with the help of a trained, neutral expert.

What Types of Cases Require Mediation?

Under the new law, families must try mediation first in the following situations:

• Divorce cases

• Deciding where a child should live

• Alimony (financial support) disputes

• Dividing property owned together during marriage

• Visitation rights and other parental responsibilities

• Setting up parenting schedules

• Changing or ending a prenuptial agreement

  
  

Cases that involve serious government action, such as removing parental rights or approving adoptions, are not part of this mandatory mediation process.

To begin mediation, people must submit an application on a special online platform. They can choose a mediator together, or let the system assign one automatically. In that case, the platform will find the closest available mediator based on where the applicants live.

What Does a Mediator Do?

Mediators are not judges. They are trained professionals whose job is to help both sides understand each other and find a solution that works for everyone. They do not take sides and do not make decisions for the family. Instead, they guide the conversation and help create a peaceful agreement.

If both parties reach an agreement, they sign a document. Once approved, this document has the same legal power as a court decision. If someone later breaks the terms of the agreement, the court can enforce it, just like any legal ruling.

Why Armenia Is Making This Change

The Ministry of Justice hopes this new system will reduce the number of court cases, which are often time-consuming, expensive, and emotionally difficult for families.

According to official court statistics, between 2,800 and 3,000 family cases were brought to court each year in 2023 and 2024. These are exactly the types of cases now being sent to mediation first.

Maria Petrosyan, a legal expert at the Centre for Legislation Development Foundation, believes this reform is a big improvement. She says mediation is a more positive and helpful way to solve family disagreements. It also gives courts more time to focus on more complex or urgent cases.

A Growing System of Mediators

Armenia now has 123 certified mediators. To become a mediator, a person must be over 25 years old, have a college degree, and pass a special training program. This program is organized by the Ministry of Justice and includes lessons in law, conflict resolution, psychology, and communication skills.

Gayane Demirchyan, head of the Self-regulatory Organization of Mediators, says that mediators are now available across the country, not just in the capital. Many work full time in the provinces, and some also offer their services remotely.

This new system is a major shift in how Armenia handles sensitive family issues. Instead of going straight to court, families now have a chance to talk things through, guided by trained experts who aim to protect the well-being of all involved—especially children.

Armenia’s government sees this as a step toward a more modern, fair, and efficient justice system. And if mediation proves to be successful, it could soon be expanded to cover other types of civil and labor conflicts too.

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