The first scientific event of startADR

The first scientific event of the project was held with great success on March 28, 2018 in Thessaloniki, at the Piraeus Bank Conference Center. startADR on topic "Mediation after Law 4512/2018: A new beginning", with the collaboration of the Association of Trainee and Young Lawyers of Thessaloniki (EANDITh) and under the kind sponsorship of the Thessaloniki Bar Association.

We would like to warmly thank our distinguished speakers, who honored us by participating in our event and sharing their valuable knowledge and experiences with us regarding the institution of mediation.

 

In particular, we would like to warmly thank:

Main Professor Nikolaos, G. Intzesiloglou, Professor Emeritus of Sociology of Law, former Dean of the School of Law, Economics and Political Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Honorary Lawyer of the Thessaloniki Bar Association, Lawyer and Sociologist for his extremely interesting presentation on the topic "Mediation and the necessary adaptation of legal thinking and mentality".

Indeed, the need to change legal thinking and culture is a given and even imperative, as from next October 2018, the entire legal world, primarily our Lawyers but also our Judges, will be called upon to mandatorily implement in practice the institution of mediation as required by Law 4512/2018.

 

We would also like to warmly thank Mrs. Professor Aspasia I. Tsaousi, Permanent Assistant Professor of Sociology of Law at the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, CIArb Accredited Mediator, who shared with us her rich, valuable and in-depth knowledge of the institution of mediation in Greece and abroad with her presentation on the topic "Mediation as a Course in Postgraduate Studies: An Assessment from 2001 to the Present."

The time has come for a substantial modernization of the curricula of Greek Universities and especially of Greek Law Schools, as they should include modern and necessary courses, such as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and especially mediation. However, the already, albeit fragmentary, teaching of Alternative Dispute Resolution and especially Mediation in Greek Universities is a welcome development and a sign for the future.

 

The last, but equally important speaker, whom we would like to thank in particular, was Mr. Ioannis H. Stefanou, Lawyer – Labor Specialist and member of the Board of Directors of the Thessaloniki Bar Association, who with his presentation on the topic “"Combatant advocacy and mediation", presented the problems that the institution of mediation will have to face in practice, following the changes brought about by Law 4512/2018.

Indeed, very soon, we will see in practice the implementation of the institution of mediation by the struggling lawyers, who will have to familiarize themselves with the institution and effectively defend the interests of their clients. In this direction, the startADR will be their ally and helper at every step!

 

It is in this spirit, namely of informing lawyers, that the writer's proposal was also made on the subject of "Recent changes in mediation after the passage of Law 4512/2018", which presented the basic changes that are being made to the institution of mediation with the new Law. The latter comes into effect with the new judicial year, which means that the time frames for lawyers to prepare for the implementation of the institution in practice are particularly tight. Thus, the timely and valid information, training and education of lawyers - legal representatives in the mediation process is now imperative. The startADR will make sure to contribute to this preparation of lawyers in the best possible and comprehensive way. Our only enemy will be time!

 

Warm thanks, of course, go to the Association of Trainee and Young Lawyers of Thessaloniki (AANDiTh) and its President, Mr. Michael Mittas, for the excellent co-organization, as well as to our coordinator, Mrs. Elli Melliou, Lawyer and Secretary of AANDiTh, for the difficult task of coordinating the event, which, however, she successfully completed.

Finally, we would like to thank all of you who honored us with your presence and truly “embrace” the startADR from the very first moment!

We are committed to meeting and exceeding your expectations!