Austria is a country of eight million inhabitants with a litigious civil society, which can be attributed to the high mountains that in ancient times divided settlements and made communication difficult. Cost-effective and easy access to justice (understood as synonymous with the court system) is considered one of the most basic and important rights in Austria.

Conflict resolution, with the help of private mediators, is still a relatively unknown concept. Although large companies are adopting mediation in increasing numbers, Austrian citizens have been slow to embrace it. Mediation, the concept that a tailor-made solution, created by the disputing parties themselves and suited to their needs, still needs promotion to catch hold.