| Name of report | Brief content | Links |
|---|---|---|
| D2.1 National report in France | France has promoted family mediation for over 20 years, with strong political support and a solid legal framework. However, in practice – especially in cross-border family cases – mediation is underused. The legal system lacks specific rules for international mediation, and judges are often reluctant to embrace it. A major problem is the lack of data: while recent tools like “Winci TJ” track mediation orders, there are no reliable statistics on mediator appointments, agreements reached, or their outcomes. In contrast, international child abduction cases are well-documented. In 2023, 665 cases were reported, but only 19% were resolved by courts and 12% by amicable agreement – despite the latter showing promising results. This report compares the legal framework (Part I) with the reality of limited use in practice (Part II). | Download report |
| D2.1 Rapport national francais | Depuis une vingtaine d’années, la médiation, notamment familiale, est activement encouragée en France par le ministère de la Justice, avec un cadre juridique apparemment solide. La médiation familiale est définie comme un processus visant à reconstruire ou construire le lien familial, en impliquant un tiers impartial (le médiateur) qui facilite la communication et la gestion des conflits. Cependant, malgré cet encadrement, la situation reste mitigée. Le droit français ne prévoit pas de dispositions spécifiques pour la médiation familiale transfrontalière, et la pratique de la médiation est moins répandue que souhaité, surtout dans le milieu judiciaire où les retours sont parfois réservés voire hostiles. De plus, il est difficile d’évaluer l’efficacité des politiques publiques encouragant la médiation, en raison d’un manque criant d’outils statistiques fiables sur son usage, ses résultats et son suivi. Par contraste, les enlèvements parentaux internationaux sont bien documentés : en 2024, 665 signalements ont été enregistrés en France, majoritairement concernant de jeunes enfants, avec peu de solutions judiciaires ou amiables trouvées, bien que celles-ci soient efficaces. Or, peu de parents recourent à la médiation. Le rapport se propose donc d’analyser le cadre juridique français de la médiation familiale internationale et de confronter ce cadre à la réalité de son application, qui reste insuffisamment développée | Download report |
| D2.1 Национален доклад на България | В Европейския съюз над 100 000 деца и младежи изчезват годишно, като международното отвличане на деца е втората по честота група изчезнали случаи. В България няма единна статистика за международното отвличане, но през 2023 г. Министерството на правосъдието е получило 23 молби за връщане на отвлечени деца по Хагската конвенция. Увеличаването на браковете с чужденци и високите нива на разводи в ЕС натоварват съдилищата, правейки алтернативното решаване на спорове (АРС), включително семейната медиация, все по-важно. Презграничната семейна медиация предлага по-бърз и ефективен начин за решаване на случаи на отвличане, но практиката ѝ остава ограничена. Повечето случаи се решават чрез съдебни процедури, а медиацията е рядко използвана. В България също има ограничено използване на международната семейна медиация, поради липса на осведоменост, специализирано обучение и институционална подкрепа. Това води до дълги съдебни процеси вместо ефективни споразумения чрез медиация. Докладът анализира правната рамка, институционалната структура, практическото приложение и предизвикателствата пред медиацията в България, включително законодателни пропуски и липса на стандартизирани процедури. Особено внимание се обръща на ролята на детето, случаите на домашно насилие и съответствието с европейските стандарти. В заключение са предложени препоръки за подобряване и насърчаване на ефективна презгранична медиация, насочена към интересите на детето. Данните за анализа са събрани чрез въпросници, разпространени сред медиатори и експерти в международното право в рамките на проект iCare2. | Download report |
| D2.1 National Report on Bulgaria | International child abduction is a major issue in the EU, but in Bulgaria, there’s no official data system- though 23 return requests were filed in 2023 under the Hague Convention. Cross-border family mediation is proven effective but remains underused due to lack of awareness, training, and institutional support. This report examines Bulgaria’s legal and practical approach to International Family Mediation (IFM), identifying key barriers and recommending reforms to align with international standards and better protect children. | Download report |
| D2.1 Rapporto nazionale Italia | In un’Europa sempre più interconnessa, le controversie familiari transfrontaliere, in particolare le sottrazioni internazionali di minori, rappresentano una sfida complessa che coinvolge diversi sistemi giuridici e diritti dei minori. La mediazione familiare internazionale emerge come uno strumento utile per facilitare accordi sostenibili tra genitori in Paesi diversi. Il regolamento (UE) n. 2019/1111 (Bruxelles II-ter) obbliga i giudici a proporre la mediazione nei casi di sottrazione di minori. Tuttavia, in Italia la mediazione familiare internazionale è ancora poco sviluppata, nonostante l’inserimento di strumenti normativi nel codice civile e di procedura civile e le riforme legislative recenti. La diffusione di una cultura della mediazione e l’integrazione concreta del principio dell’interesse superiore del minore sono fondamentali per rendere la mediazione efficace e conforme agli standard europei e internazionali. La ricerca, condotta nel progetto iCare2, ha raccolto testimonianze di giudici, avvocati e mediatori certificati per analizzare l’applicazione del regolamento Bruxelles II-ter in Italia, evidenziando sfide e opportunità per migliorare la cooperazione giudiziaria e l’uso della mediazione nelle controversie familiari transfrontaliere. | Download report |
| D2.1 National Report on Italy | This report analyzes how Italy applies this regulation through research under the iCare2 project. Despite recent reforms integrating mediation into Italy’s civil code, its use remains limited. Challenges include a lack of mediation culture, slow adoption, and inconsistent practice. To support the findings, the report includes insights from interviews with legal professionals, stressing the need to center mediation on the best interests of the child and align with EU standards. | Download report |
| D2.1 National Report on Poland | This report examines how Poland applies the regulation, as part of the iCare2 project. While family mediation is gradually gaining recognition in Poland, it remains underused. Key challenges include the need for a stronger mediation culture and better integration of the child’s best interests in the process. Findings are supported by interviews with practitioners, highlighting both progress and areas needing improvement. This report examines how Poland applies the regulation, as part of the iCare2 project. While family mediation is gradually gaining recognition in Poland, it remains underused. Key challenges include the need for a stronger mediation culture and better integration of the child’s best interests in the process. Findings are supported by interviews with practitioners, highlighting both progress and areas needing improvement. | Download report |
| D2.1 Raport krajowy Polska | W coraz bardziej zintegrowanej Europie transgraniczne spory rodzinne, zwłaszcza dotyczące separacji, rozwodów i opieki nad dziećmi, stają się coraz powszechniejsze, co wiąże się z ryzykiem uprowadzenia dziecka za granicę. Sytuacje te są skomplikowane przez różnice prawne i kulturowe oraz konieczność ochrony dobra dziecka. Międzynarodowa mediacja rodzinna staje się coraz ważniejszym narzędziem do rozwiązywania takich sporów, oferując proces sprzyjający porozumieniu między rodzicami z różnych krajów. Unijne rozporządzenie Bruksela IIb (2019/1111) wprowadza obowiązek zachęcania stron do rozważenia mediacji w sprawach uprowadzenia dziecka. Raport przedstawia wyniki badań nad implementacją tego rozporządzenia w Polsce w ramach projektu „iCare2”. Badania oceniają, jak przepisy są stosowane, jakie napotykają wyzwania oraz czy poprawiają współpracę sądową i promują mediację. W Polsce międzynarodowa mediacja rodzinna jest coraz częściej stosowana, jednak jej potencjał nie jest jeszcze w pełni wykorzystany. Kluczowe jest rozwijanie kultury mediacji i konsekwentna integracja zasady najlepszego interesu dziecka, aby mediacja mogła efektywnie wspierać rozwiązywanie konfliktów rodzinnych zgodnie z międzynarodowymi i unijnymi standardami. W badaniach przeprowadzono wywiady z praktykami, którzy podzielili się swoimi doświadczeniami i perspektywami. Autorzy raportu dziękują im za współpracę i podkreślają, że są jedynymi odpowiedzialnymi za treść raportu. | Download report |
| D4.1 Methodology on pre-mediation | The pre-mediation process, part of the iCare2 project, supports families in international child abduction cases by preparing parents for mediation. It focuses on the child’s best interests, ensuring their well-being and maintaining family relationships. Pre-mediation includes informing parents, assessing the situation, referring to mediators, finding temporary agreements, and guiding family links. This flexible method can be adapted by countries based on their legal and cultural context. The goal is to promote agreements that prioritize the child’s welfare before formal mediation begins. | Download report |