In 1993, Estonia implemented the ADR and Mediation Directives of the European Union and ratified the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. Estonia was one of the first EU Member States to implement the EU rules on mediation in its national legislation, and mediation in Estonia is governed by the Conciliation Act of 2010. According to Estonian law, mediation is a voluntary process and, even though the court has a right to order parties to go to mediation, there are no sanctions or incentives. At the same time, it is highly recommended that lawyers, notaries, and court personnel promote mediation proceedings. There are no court-annexed mediation programs in Estonia.