Mediation of crimes
and disputes

Mediation is based on the Law Concerning the Mediation of Criminal
Cases and Certain Civil Cases (Mediation Act, 1015/2005). The purpose
of mediating criminal cases is to offer the parties an opportunity of encountering each other and compensating for the damages caused by
the crime. The encounter is made possible by trained volunteer mediators working under the professional guidance of a mediation office.

In mediation the victim and the offender encounter each other and get an opportunity of dealing with the crime in ways that suit them. The criminal-
law side of the case is not decided in mediation, but participation in the mediation procedure may affect the potential legal consequence, so that the punishment is mitigated or criminal-law measures are dropped altogether.

The initiative for mediation can be taken by either party to the crime, the parents of an underage child, a police officer, the prosecutor, a social welfare authority, or another authority. If the crime has involved violence against the suspect’s spouse, child, parent, or a similarly close person,
the initiative for mediation can be taken only by a police officer or prosecuting authority.

In the region of North Karelia, the organization of mediation procedures
is the responsibility of the North Karelia Mediation Office. The office is located on the marketplace, in the very centre of the City of Joensuu. It is administered by the North Karelia district organization of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare. The general management, steering and supervision of mediation procedures is the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

The Regional Advisory Board for Mediation is responsible for monitoring the regional development of mediation, promoting cooperation among the different interest groups, and supporting the work of the Mediation Office.
The chair of the advisory board is Mr. Yrjö Kahelin, Senior Lawyer, and the members are Mr. Jorma Alvila, Chief Crime Inspector, Mr. Teppo Laukkanen, Executive Director, Mr. Osmo Manninen, District Court Prosecutor, Mr. Matti Tolvanen, Professor of Criminal Law and Judicial Procedure, and Ms. Airi Turunen, Director.

What is mediated?

Mediation is possible in crimes that have a victim and an offender. The offender must have admitted the act. The suitability of the case for mediation is assessed by the mediation office. Mediation is also possible in offences committed by persons under 15 years of age. The offences most commonly mediated are assault, malicious damage, theft, petty theft, and vandalism.