A Comparative Study of Judicial Procedures to Mediation Clause: The Necessity of Reviewing the UNCITRAL Model Law
Keywords:
Mediation Clause, Executive Challenges, Limitations of the Model Law, Comparative Study, International ProceduresAbstract
Mediation, by its nature, is perceived as a crucial process with significant potential for conflict resolution. However, in Iran, it is not widely utilized, particularly in the settlement of international commercial disputes. Among the primary obstacles in this regard is the lack of specific legislation within domestic law. The UNCITRAL Model Law on Mediation was formulated to address this; however, it cannot serve as a comprehensive model for all countries with varying legal systems. One of the main challenges facing this institution is the limited enforceability of mediation clauses. This article, adopting an applied goal and a descriptive-analytical method, examines and addresses this challenge, aiming to propose solutions based on comparative study of international procedures to enhance enforcement support and strengthen the legal standing of mediation. Ultimately, it is found that when a party fails to comply with a mediation clause, binding approaches are preferable. If one party initiates the main lawsuit directly in court or arbitration without considering the mediation clause, the preferred approach, depending on the relevant jurisdiction, is to apply preventive measures. Overall, establishing legal safeguards within domestic law, modeled after the UNCITRAL Model Law on Mediation, is essential but not sufficient, as this law has limitations.
References
Aahana. (2024). The Uncitral Model Law: A Harmonized Approach to Cross-Border Insolvency Challenges. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(5), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i05.27219
Alexander, N., Chong, S. Y., & Giorgadze, V. (2019). The Singapore Convention on Mediation: A Commentary. Kluwer Law International B.V.
Alexander, N. M. (2009). International and Comparative Mediation: Legal Perspectives. Kluwer Law International.
Alexander, N. M. (2024). Consensual Dispute Resolution and Arbitration: Comparative Mediation Law Mapping Mediation Law with the Mediation Matrix. Comparative Procedural Law and Justice. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429354625-11
Andrews, N. (2008). The Modern Civil Process: Judicial and Alternative Forms of Dispute Resolution in England (Vol. 50). Mohr Siebeck.
Bellinghausen, R., & Grothaus, J. (2016). Escalation Clauses: No Longer a Tripping Hazard for Arbitrations with Seat in Germany? https://arbitrationblog.kluwerarbitration.com
Berger, K. P. (2015). Private Dispute Resolution in International Business: Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration. Kluwer Law International.
Chua, E. (2019). The Singapore Convention on Mediation - A Brighter Future for Asian Dispute Resolution. Asian Journal of International Law, 9(2), 195-205. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2044251318000309
Cortés, P. (2011). Online Dispute Resolution for Consumers in the European Union. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203847756-1
Dendorfer-Ditges, R., & Wilhelm, P. (2017). Mediation in a Global Village: Legal Complexity of Cross-border Mediation in Europe. International Arbitration, 5, 235-245.
Emami, S. H. (1999). Civil Law (Vol. 1). Ketabkhaneh Islamieh.
Esplugues, C. (2014). Civil and Commercial Mediation in Europe: Cross-Border Mediation. Intersentia Uitgevers.
Esplugues, C. (2015). General Report: New Developments in Civil and Commercial Mediation - Global Comparative Perspectives. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18135-6_1
Esplugues, C., & Barona, S. (2014). ADR Mechanisms and Their Incorporation into Global Justice in the Twenty-First Century: Some Concepts and Trends. In Global Perspectives on ADR. Intersentia.
Feehily, R. (2016). The Contractual Certainty of Commercial Agreements to Mediate in Ireland. Irish Journal of Legal Studies, 6(1), 59-105.
Feehily, R. (2022). International Commercial Mediation, Law and Regulation in Comparative Context. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108869423
Foster, N. (2015). Blackstone's EU Treaties and Legislation. Oxford University Press.
Garimella, S. R., & Siddiqui, N. A. (2016). The Enforceability of Multi-Tiered Dispute Resolution Clauses: Contemporary Judicial Opinion. IIUMLJ, 24(1), 157-191. https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v24i1.228
Joneydi, L., & Mansouri Razi, A. (2021). The Nature and Effect of Multi-Tier Dispute Resolution Clauses in Contracts. Journal of Private Law Research, 9(34), 97-121. https://doi.org/10.22054/jplr.2018.25812.1668
Kajkowska, E. (2017). Enforceability of Multi-Tiered Dispute Resolution Clauses. Hart Publishing.
Kayali, D. (2010). Enforceability of Multi-Tiered Dispute Resolution Clauses. Journal of International Arbitration, 27(6), 551-577. https://doi.org/10.54648/JOIA2010033
Kulms, R. (2013). Mediation in the USA: Alternative Dispute Resolution between Legalism and Self-Determination. In E. nd (Ed.), Mediation: Principles and Regulation in Comparative Perspective. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199653485.003.0025
Moghaddam Abrishami, A. (2021). Challenges of the Singapore Mediation Convention and Iran's Accession. International Legal Journal, 38(65), 263-280.
Mohebi, M. (2020). Rules and Procedures of Arbitration and Mediation at the Arbitration Center of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture. Khorasandi Publications.
Mukarrum, A. (2017). The Nature and Enforcement of Choice of Court Agreements: A Comparative Study. Hart Publishing.
Nolan-Haley, J. M. (2012). Is Europe Headed Down the Primrose Path with Mandatory Mediation? North Carolina Journal of International Law, 37(4), 981-1015.
Omalley, P. E. (2022). A New 'UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Adjudication': How Beneficial Could It Really Be? International Journal of Arbitration, Mediation and Dispute Management, 88(1), 34-60. https://doi.org/10.54648/amdm2022003
Piers, M. (2014). Europe's Role in Alternative Dispute Resolution: Off to a Good Start? Journal of Dispute Resolution, 5(2), 268-306.
Roth, M., & Geistlinger, M. (2019). A Call for a Harmonized Approach to Agreements to Mediate. Yearbook on International Arbitration and ADR, 15(1), 199-227.
Rovine, A. W. (2010). Contemporary Issues in International Arbitration and Mediation (Vol. 3). Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004182912.i-452
Salehijam, M. (2019). Mediation Clauses: Enforceability and Impact. Singapore Academy of Law Journal, 31, 598-636.
Scherpe, J. M., & Marten, B. (2013). Mediation in England and Wales: Regulation and Practice. In P. st (Ed.), Mediation: Principles and Regulation in Comparative Perspective. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199653485.003.0006
Shaw, M. N. (2017). Methods of Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. Khorasandi Publications.
Shokoohi Zadeh, R. (2019). The Effect of Peaceful Dispute Resolution Clauses on the Waiver of the Right to Sue in Iranian and French Law. Legal Research Quarterly, 22(87), 203-224. https://doi.org/10.29252/lawresearch.22.87.203
Spencer, D., & Brogan, M. (2006). Mediation Law and Practice. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511811005
Strong, S. I. (2014). Use and Perception of International Commercial Mediation and Conciliation: A Preliminary Report on Issues Relating to the Proposed UNCITRAL Convention on International Commercial Mediation and Conciliation.
Suter, E. (2009). The Progress from Void to Valid for Agreements to Mediate. Arbitration, 75(1), 28-37.
Tochtermann, P. (2008). Agreements to Negotiate in the Transnational Context - Issues of Contract Law and Effective Dispute Resolution. Uniform Law Review, 13(3), 685-712. https://doi.org/10.1093/ulr/13.3.685
Tochtermann, P. (2013). Mediation in Germany: The German Mediation Act - Alternative Dispute Resolution at the Crossroads. In E. Online (Ed.), Mediation: Principles and Regulation in Comparative Perspective. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199653485.003.0008
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Amirhossein Mohebbi (Author); Jafar Nory Yoshanloey (Corresponding author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
