International family mediation, the Directive of Mediation in Civil and Commercial Matters and its transposition into the Spanish Law

Abstract

Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process that every day is taking more relevance. The cases of couples and mixed marriages breaking-up are increasing, and in such cases international family mediation is shown as the proper mechanism to solve the disputes. Directive 2008/52/EC of 21 May 2008 on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters, whose transposition deadline ended last 21 May 2011, has meant a great improvement as an instrument with specific responses to cross-border family disputes. Unfortunately nowadays the transposition of the Directive into Spanish Law has not yet been taken place.