All mediators in the Republic of Moldova are members of the Union of Mediators by operation of law and are required to contribute to its budget. This rule is established by Law No. 9/2026 on mediation and the status of mediators, in force since 12 September 2026. It replaced the previous Mediation Law, No. 137/2015. Mediators who fail to pay their contributions risk suspension and, ultimately, termination of their professional activity.
The Union’s role and responsibilities
The Union becomes the profession’s self-governing body. It is a non-commercial professional association with legal personality, its own assets and budget, and its headquarters in Chișinău. Its responsibilities include setting standards for initial and continuing training and accrediting trainers and training providers. The Union also oversees professional ethics, maintains records of mediation offices and organisations, and issues mediators’ professional identity cards.
Mandatory contributions and the Union’s funding
The law does not set how much each mediator must pay. The amount of the mandatory contribution and the method of calculation are approved by the General Assembly of Mediators.
The Union’s budget is also funded by disciplinary fines imposed on mediators, ranging from 50 to 100 conventional units (MDL 2,500–5,000), and other sources permitted by law. These funds cover, among other expenses, allowances for members of the Union’s Council for each meeting attended. The positions of President and Secretary General are also remunerated.
Consequences of non-payment
Failure to pay contributions for three months leads to suspension of professional activity by order of the Minister of Justice at the Union’s request. Suspension continues until the debt is paid in full, but for no longer than one year. If the mediator still does not pay within that period, their professional activity is terminated.
During suspension, the licence and professional identity card must be handed over to the Union within 10 working days. Practising mediation during this period constitutes a disciplinary offence.
How the Union is organised
The Union’s supreme body is the General Assembly of Mediators, convened at least once a year. Attendance is mandatory: an absence must be notified in writing in advance, and participation through a representative is not allowed, although votes may also be cast electronically. The Assembly approves the statutes, Code of Ethics, budget and contribution amounts.
It also elects the Union’s Council, an executive body consisting of seven mediators serving four-year terms. The Council elects the Union’s President from among its members for a two-year term, with no more than two consecutive terms, and recruits a Secretary General through a competitive selection procedure. An Ethics Commission and an Audit Commission also operate within the Union.
Access to the profession and professional discipline
The Union has a role in both access to the profession and disciplinary matters. It appoints three of the seven members of each of the Licensing Commission and the Disciplinary Commission. The Ministry of Justice appoints another three members to each commission, while one seat is held by a civil-society representative.
The mediator’s licence is issued by the Ministry of Justice for an unlimited period for a fee of MDL 450. Certificates obtained before the law entered into force are recognised as equivalent to licences.
Implementation timeline
Law No. 9 of 12 February 2026 was published in the Official Gazette on 12 March and entered into force six months later. The first General Assembly of Mediators took place in Chișinău on 13 October, when the Union of Mediators was established and the profession’s self-governing bodies were elected. Under the law, the Union’s Council has three months from its establishment to approve the instruments needed to implement the new rules.
Official sources
Law No. 9/2026 on mediation and the status of mediators
Ministry of Justice: establishment of the Union of Mediators, 13 October 2026
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