Does a mediator in Israel have to be certified, and what qualifications does the law require?

Two systems run in parallel. Court-connected mediation operates under Section 79C, which allows a judge to refer a pending case to a mediator with the parties' consent, and under the 1996 regulations that define who may sit on the official list. Those conditions cover formal education, a minimum period of professional experience, and completion of a mediation training course of at least 60 hours. Private contractual mediation sits outside that scheme entirely. A clause naming an institution, or simply naming an individual, is enforceable as a matter of contract, and nothing in Israeli law requires that person to hold a certificate or belong to any register.

Foreign parties tend to ask the wrong question. Whether a mediator appears on the Courts Administration list matters far less than whether they work comfortably in English, understand the sector, and have handled cross-border settlements before. Ask for a short list of comparable matters and confirm the fee basis in writing before the first session, since private mediation is charged by the hour and split between the parties unless agreed otherwise. Remember also that the settlement itself needs to be converted into an enforceable instrument, normally by asking the court to give it the force of a judgment. The process is mapped out in the guide to commercial mediation in Israel.

From the full guide: Mediation in Israel: A Complete Guide for Foreign Businesses and Parties

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