Sovittelukokous

Sovittelukokous, literally a conciliation meeting, is a procedural stage in Finnish civil procedure where the court or a mediator brings the parties together to discuss the possibility of settling the dispute before or during litigation. The goal is to clarify issues, identify points of agreement, and explore settlement options in a less adversarial setting than a full trial.

Participants typically include the parties and their legal representatives, and may also involve a judge or a court-appointed mediator. In some cases, a private mediator can be engaged, depending on the court’s rules and the nature of the dispute. Attendance may be mandatory in certain proceedings or requested by one party with the court’s approval.

The proceedings are usually informal and confidential, focusing on interests, needs, and potential compromises rather than formal evidence gathering. The purpose is not to determine liability or decide the case on the merits at this stage, but to assess whether a mutually acceptable settlement can be reached and what form it might take.

Outcomes of a sovittelukokous can vary. If the parties reach an agreement, a settlement is drafted and presented to the court for approval or incorporated into the case record, potentially ending the dispute. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to the next procedural stage, such as the main hearing or continued negotiations.

Sovittelukokous plays a role in promoting amicable resolution, reducing court workload, and saving time and resources for both parties and the judiciary. It sits within the broader framework of sovittelu (conciliation) used in Finnish civil, family, and administrative matters.