Mediation, as an alternative dispute resolution method, is not a new phenomenon in Hungary.  On a certain level, its legislative framework was created even before the Mediation Directive 2008/52/EC of the European Parliament, and the Council of May 21, 2008 entered into force.

Mediation is not necessarily an integral part of Hungarian dispute resolution culture, however, and it is not frequently used to resolve commercial disputes, as compared with litigation and arbitration.

The public’s familiarity with mediation as an available dispute resolution method is generally not as high as it should be. Nevertheless, in recent years, a positive trend toward mediation can be observed, not only among professionals, but also by the public.