Legal area
Mediation
Mediation in the Czech Republic is a voluntary meeting where a neutral, registered mediator helps you and the other side reach an agreement; the mediator decides nothing. It pays off when you want to keep the relationship and settle faster and in confidence. The fee is agreed with the mediator, and a court or a notarial deed makes the agreement enforceable, also across the EU. Registered mediators are listed by the Czech Ministry of Justice at mediatori.justice.cz.
Quick answers
- What is mediation and when is it better than court?
- Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral mediator helps the parties reach their own agreement. It pays off when you want to keep dealing with the other side — a co-parent, a neighbour, a business partner — and decide the outcome yourselves. It is not suitable where there is domestic violence or one side is far stronger.
- How much does mediation cost in the Czech Republic?
- You agree the fee with the mediator in the mediation contract; unless agreed otherwise, the parties share it equally. Only a first meeting ordered by a Czech court has a fixed fee: since 1 January 2026 it is CZK 1,000 per started hour, for at most 3 hours, plus VAT where the mediator charges it.
- How long does mediation take?
- Czech law sets no length; it depends on the dispute and the parties, and you agree the duration in the contract. A court-ordered first meeting lasts at most 3 hours, and the court may pause the case for up to 3 months for it.
Legal situations in this area
Select a specific situation below to read a detailed legal guide.
Family mediation in the Czech Republic for foreigners and cross-border families
You are a foreigner separating in the Czech Republic, or you and your child's other parent now live in different countries. Family mediation lets you agree on the children, child support and property with a neutral mediator, in a language you understand, before a court decides for you.
Business dispute with a Czech company: can mediation solve it?
Your Czech supplier delivered late, your Czech customer will not pay, or a joint project went wrong, and you would rather settle than sue in another country. Mediation with a registered Czech mediator lets both companies negotiate in confidence, and the result can be made enforceable in the Czech Republic and across the EU.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I make a mediation agreement enforceable?
- A mediation agreement is a contract. A Czech court can approve it as a court settlement, which has the effect of a judgment, or a notary can record it in a deed with consent to enforcement. Agreements about children always go to the court.
- A Czech court ordered me to a first meeting with a mediator. What now?
- You must attend in person, but you do not have to start mediation. The mediator explains how it works. A party who stays away without a serious reason may lose the right to have their legal costs paid even if they win.
- Do I need a mediator or a lawyer?
- A mediator is neutral and advises neither side. A lawyer protects only you and checks the agreement you sign. Many people use both, and some Czech lawyers are also registered mediators.
- Where do I find a registered mediator?
- In the Czech Ministry of Justice list of mediators at mediatori.justice.cz. You can search by region, focus (for example family or commercial disputes) and the language of the mediation. Access is free of charge.
- I am a foreigner. Can I use mediation in the Czech Republic?
- Yes. You can look for a mediator who works in your language. Where the parties live in different EU countries, the EU rules on cross-border mediation apply and the agreement can be made enforceable across the EU.
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