Arbitration Centres

Arbitration Centres are entities recognised by the Ministry of Justice with the competence to resolve certain types of dispute through mediation, conciliation and arbitration.

They operate by geographical area and according to the subject matter of the dispute. In some cases, they may also operate according to the value of the dispute.

Initially, the Arbitration Centres receive the parties to the dispute and provide information on:

the matters within their jurisdiction;
the rights and duties of the parties to the dispute;
the out-of-court means of dispute resolution available.

Mediation and conciliation

Arbitration centres can offer the parties a resolution to the dispute through the intervention of a mediator (mediation) or a conciliator (conciliation).
Mediators and conciliators are independent and impartial professionals who help to reach an agreement that puts an end to the dispute. The conciliator can propose a solution to the conflict. The mediator does not decide or advise the parties but only guides them towards an agreement.

Arbitration

The Arbitration Court is made up of arbitrators who must be independent and impartial in relation to the parties.

A judgement by an arbitration court carries the same weight as a judgement issued by a court. If one of the parties fails to comply with the arbitration judgement, the other party can go to court to enforce the judgement. Arbitration proceedings take a maximum of 12 months. Arbitration procedures in arbitration centres supported by the Ministry of Justice take between 2 and 3 months.

Advantages of the Arbitration Centres

Specialisation - disputes are resolved with the help of a professional who specialises in the subject of the conflict;
Ease - the process is less bureaucratic and, in most cases, it is not compulsory to hire a lawyer;
Speed - given the simplicity of the procedure, it is possible to resolve the dispute in good time, satisfying the interests of the parties;
Security - the arbitration court's decision has the same force as a court judgement;
Reduced cost - the services provided by the Arbitration Centres supported by the Ministry of Justice can be free of charge, have reduced costs or require legal aid from the Social Security services.