The National Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, established in 1998, functions as a unit within the Ministry of Justice. The purpose of the Center is to promote the concept of mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and their use in different types of disputes.
The National Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution was established with the encouragement of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Professor Aharon Barak. On his initiative, in 1977, the Director General of the Ministry of Justice established a committee whose purpose was to serve recommendations as to the nature of the Center. In accordance with the Committee’s recommendations, the decision was made to set up a unit within the Ministry of Justice with the aim of promoting the use of mediation and ADR within the courts and in Israeli society.
The concept upon which the National Center is based is to encourage the use of mediation and ADR as philosophy of life based upon a broad social vision. The National Center does not regard mediation merely as a profession or a technique for resolving disputes within the courts, but encourages people and organizations to view mediation as a way of life, a way of leading a common life together based upon agreement.
At the head of the Center, since its establishment, is Dr. Peretz Segal, who is also head of the Legal Counsel Department in the Department of Legal Counsel and Legislation in the Ministry of Justice.