The international congress ‘Criminal mediation under debate’ was co-directed by Dr Silvia Barona, Head of the Chair for the Culture of Legal Mediation. It brought together a number of distinguished jurists and academic, all of whom are specialists in the field of criminal mediation.
On 4 and 5 July 2024, the Universitat de València hosted the international congress ‘Criminal mediation under debate’, which was organised by the Chair for the Culture of Legal Mediation. The event, held at the Faculty of Law and Rector Peset Hall of Residence, brought together academics, scientists, judges, lawyers, solicitors and mediators to address the asymmetries, nature and difficulties of mediation in criminal proceedings.
The inauguration of the congress took place on 4 July at 10:30am and was attended by its two directors: Dr Clara Viana (Dean of the UV Faculty of Law) and Dr Silvia Barona, Full University Professor of Procedural Law and Head of the UV Chair for the Culture of Legal Mediation.
Over the course of the two days, a series of presentations and panel discussions were held to examine the legal and criminal regulation of mediation, the potential impact on fundamental rights and its application in juvenile justice and in cases of violence.
On the first day, the participants engaged in a debate on the legal and criminal regulation of mediation and the impact on the rights of the parties in criminal proceedings. The presentations were delivered by UV doctors Vicenta Cervelló Donderis, Asunción Colás Turégano and Alberto Alonso Rimo, with Dr Elena de Luis García acting as a moderator.
Subsequently, the discussion shifted to the potential impact on fundamental rights, with presentations by Dr Luis Cucarella Galiana (UV) and Dr Andrea Planchadell (UJI), moderated by Dr Elena Martínez García (UV). The day continued with an analysis of criminal mediation in juvenile justice, moderated by Dr Javier Jiménez Fortea (UV), and concluded with a debate on criminal mediation in cases of violence, moderated by Dr Ana Montesinos García (UV).
On 5 July, the sessions commenced at 9:30am with a discussion on the incorporation of mediation in criminal proceedings, moderated by Dr Vicente Pérez Daudí (UB). This was followed by presentations on criminal mediation in Portugal, Colombia and Andalusia, moderated by Dr Diana Marcos Francisco (UCV).
The congress concluded with a panel discussion on digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in criminal mediation, moderated by Dr Silvia Barona (UV), with the participation of experts such as Dr Sonia Calaza López (UNED) and Dr Federico Bueno de Mata (USAL). The final conclusions were presented by Dr Susana Sánchez González (UGR).
This congress constituted a unique opportunity for legal and mediation professionals to discuss and analyse the current and future challenges of criminal mediation, thereby fostering an exchange of knowledge and experiences that contribute to criminal justice progress.
