Mediation in Criminal Proceedings in the Czech Republic in the Context of Research on the Development of Restorative Justice
Abstract
The article examines the position of mediation in criminal proceedings in the context of the development of restorative justice in the Czech Republic and presents partial findings of a representative national research project. The study combines legal-theoretical analysis with empirical research on public attitudes. Its aim is to analyse the conditions for implementing restorative justice in the Czech legal environment and to define the role of mediation as an instrument for the protection of victims of crime. The first part analyses the incorporation of mediation into Czech law. The second part introduces the research project “Mediation in Criminal Proceedings in the Context of Restorative Justice (2024–2026),” focused on the current use of mediation and legal and practical barriers to its broader application. The empirical part focuses on public attitudes towards restorative justice and mediation, especially victims’ position and their needs. Based on an online survey of a representative sample of the Czech population (N = 3,577), the findings show strong support for victim protection and demonstrate that acceptance of mediation is significantly influenced by public awareness and value orientations.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/adr.2026.1.29-42
Date of publication: 2026-08-12 00:12:53
Date of submission: 2026-03-19 11:12:35
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