Mediator Ainura Baratova visually demonstrated to farmers the advantages of mediation compared to traditional court proceedings. In rural areas, prolonged conflicts often arise related to water distribution, land boundaries, or debts. Although a court may issue a ruling, its enforcement often becomes problematic if neighbors continue to harbor resentment. The mediation process allows for the identification of the root causes of conflicts. For example, Ainura cited the case of former judge Gulsara Zaripova, where two villagers could not resolve a debt dispute of 10,000 soms for 12 years. After going to court, they still found no resolution until they discovered during a meeting with a mediator that the conflict stemmed from long-standing rumors. As a result, the women not only repaid the debt adjusted for inflation (equivalent to the cost of 10 bags of flour) but also repaired their relationship.
For the agricultural sector, mediation primarily means saving resources and time. Instead of spending money on lawyers and waiting for court decisions for many years, farmers can resolve conflicts in just 2–3 meetings. This is especially important for those planning to take out loans or develop cooperatives, as old legal issues can seriously hinder business development. Mediation also works effectively in family matters: a professional mediator can help spouses better understand each other, often leading to reconciliation rather than divorce and restoring harmony in the family.
The state intends to strictly regulate this area to protect citizens from incompetent specialists. Now, only certified professionals over the age of 25 who have undergone training and received certification can become mediators, and civil servants are prohibited from entering this profession. All mediators will be united in a single Chamber, which will monitor compliance with ethical norms and quality standards. The reform has a broad scope: the country needs to prepare at least a thousand certified specialists. All details of the new system and the mechanisms for the registry's operation will be discussed at the Mediators' Congress scheduled for March 14, 2026. Specialists advise that before filing a lawsuit, it is worth considering the possibility of consulting with a professional mediator, which can save you a lot of time and effort.
