1. Background
Victim offender mediation is among the most widespread instruments of restorative justice in Europe. The V4 countries introduced it at different times and with differing degrees of institutional support, which makes them a suitable field for comparative research.
2. Comparison of the V4 countries
The Czech Republic has long shown the highest level of use of mediation, where the Probation and Mediation Service operates as a separate organisational branch of the justice system with nationwide reach. Hungary saw a marked increase after 2007, when mediation became a condition of diversion for selected offences.
| Country | Mediations per year (2024) | Per 100,000 inhabitants |
|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 4,850 | 45.2 |
| Hungary | 3,620 | 37.4 |
| Poland | 3,890 | 10.3 |
| Slovakia | 455 | 8.4 |
3. Conclusion
The experience of the V4 countries shows that the decisive factor is not the legislation itself but institutional support, systematic training and the confidence of prosecutors and judges in the mediation process.
Bibliography
- Dünkel, F. et al. (2015). Restorative Justice and Mediation in Penal Matters in Europe.
- Annual report of the Probation and Mediation Service of the Czech Republic for 2024.