Abstract: The subject of consideration is the monograph written by an international team of authors and dedicated to the judiciary of different countries and alternative dispute resolution procedures. Particular attention is paid to the mediation procedure. The regulatory framework and various projects are analyzed, in particular the projects related to the implementation of international obligations, including Directive 2013/11/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes. The summary procedure and writ proceedings are considered. The most interesting issues are the improvement of dispute resolution and confidentiality of the mediation procedure. Each country is described in a separate chapter of the book, which has a clear structure and considers information disclosure, legal fees, etc. The alternative dispute resolution procedures are supplement to the judicial process and help to reduce the costs of the parties and the period of resolving the cases. That's why the appropriate projects gain the state support.

Keywords: Bulgaria, Austria, mediation, efficiency, dispute resolution, judicial system, court proceedings, Belgium, England and Wales, Portugal