Ratification of a settlement agreement resulting from mediation Cover Image

Zatwierdzenie ugody zawartej przed mediatorem
Ratification of a settlement agreement resulting from mediation

Author(s): Tomasz Strumiłło
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence
Published by: Uniwersytet Opolski
Keywords: mediation in civil proceedings; mediation in divorce proceedings; stipulated mediation; admissibility of agreement; reconciliatory applicability of a dispute; recognition of agreement; sentence on the basis of agreement; form of agreement

Summary/Abstract: This paper concerns the procedure for recognition and declaration of enforceability of a settlement agreement resulting from mediation. The author analyses both static (courts competent to receive requests for ratification, parties to court proceedings) and dynamic aspect of this procedure (requirements which the request for recognition or declaration of enforceability must satisfy, a type of trial, the content of a court’s decision, service of thereof, admissibility of actions against a court’s decision). Furthermore, the article comprises comments on the scope of evaluation of terms of a settlement and on the effects of ratification or refusal of recognition / granting enforceability. The author makes extensive remarks on a significant practical matter of settlement agreements which cover several disputes (especially in a situation when a number of court proceedings were initiated by the parties and then single mediation, commenced afterwards, refers to more than one case). It is stated that in principle one court is competent to recognize / declare enforceable the settlement agreement which exceeds an extent of a claim which is the subject of a litigation. Furthermore, the question of consequences of withdrawal of a claim which initiated litigation (during which a court refers parties to mediation) on the request for ratification of a settlement agreement resulting from mediation is addressed. The paper also concerns the problem of admissibility of mediated agreements in divorce and separation proceedings. Although mediation is of high importance in such matters, a settlement agreement should not be a subject of ratification. Its provisions – on: parental contact with a minor child, the burden of the costs of living and educating a child, sharing a common accommodation and division of joint property – may be included in the court’s ruling on divorce / separation. Finally, an issue of a form of the settlement agreement in cases concerning real estate is referred to. Unclear regulation results in divided opinions whether notarial deed is necessary. According to the author, it is also possible to recognize settlements made in written form.

  • Issue Year: XII/2014
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 91-126
  • Page Count: 36
  • Language: Polish