Conciliación

Conciliación is the act of bringing together opposing parties to resolve a dispute or restore harmony. The term covers both formal procedures and informal processes, and it is used in legal, administrative, financial, and interpersonal contexts. It derives from the verb conciliar, meaning to unite or reconcile.

In the legal field, conciliation is often a procedural step designed to resolve disputes before or during judicial proceedings. A conciliator or mediator facilitates dialogue and negotiation, helping the parties reach a voluntary agreement. If an agreement is reached, it is typically formalized in an act or settlement; if not, the case may proceed to a court. In many jurisdictions, conciliation is mandatory for certain types of disputes to reduce caseload and encourage settlements, such as civil, family, or labor conflicts.

In labor law, conciliation seeks to settle issues like employment conditions, wages, or disputes arising from dismissal. It is commonly conducted with the involvement of a government agency, an employment inspectorate, or a specialized tribunal. The outcome is a settlement agreement, though unresolved matters can continue to litigation.

In accounting and finance, conciliation refers to reconciling records to ensure consistency between sources, such as bank statements and the company’s ledgers. Conciliación bancaria (bank reconciliation) and conciliación contable (account reconciliation) aim to identify discrepancies, errors, omissions, or fraud and to ensure the accuracy of financial reporting.

In everyday language, conciliation also denotes the act of restoring amicable relations between individuals after a conflict, often through dialogue, concessions, and mutual understanding.