MEDIATION AND NEGOTIATIONS
Mediation and negotiations are at the core of Attorney-at-law Dima Alexandrova’s alternative dispute resolution practice. She promotes a new generation of dispute resolution based on mutually beneficial agreements achieved within the framework of a mediation session. Attorney Alexandrova mainly focuses on commercial and workplace mediation, providing services both as a mediator and as a lawyer in mediation or negotiation proceedings. She also delivers negotiation trainings.
Between 2014 and 2023, Attorney Alexandrova trained and provided practical preparation to a number of university teams for international student competitions in mediation and negotiation. Under her guidance, the teams of King’s College London and Sofia University “St Kliment Ohridski” won awards at global mediation fora organized by the Vienna International Arbitral Centre and the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. She has also coached a team from Wuhan University, China.
As a result of her consistent achievements, Attorney Alexandrova was appointed as Co-Chair of the Young Mediators Committee of the International Bar Association. She was awarded “Mediator of the Year” for 2021 at the National Justice Awards, and in 2023 she received recognition from the Ministry of Justice for systematic achievements in mediation work with students.
As a fellow of the international Slynn Foundation in 2017, she completed a specialisation in mediation in the United Kingdom. In 2023, she was selected for a mediation and negotiation specialized programme in the United States as a fellow of the American organisation JAMS, where she spent two months attending training courses at Stanford and Pepperdine Universities, as well as participating in practical mediation sessions with leading mediators. JAMS is one of the world’s largest organizations in the field of out-of-court dispute resolution.
Dima Alexandrova served as a mediator at the Settlements and Mediation Centre at the Sofia District Court and Sofia City Court from 2019 until its closure in December 2025. Following a competitive selection process, she was appointed amongst the first mediators at the Sofia City Court as part of the mediation reform implemented during the period 2023–2025.
Since 2021, Attorney Alexandrova has delivered training within the Professional Association of Mediators in Bulgaria, and since 2023 she has also been a trainer at the Lawyers’ Training Centre “Krastyo Tsonchev”, having participated in a total of 30 basic and advanced mediation training programmes.
She has served as a judge at mediation and negotiation competitions organised by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris and Hong Kong, as well as by the International Bar Association and the Vienna International Arbitral Centre.
ABOUT MEDIATION
Mediation is an innovative procedure that provides an opportunity to achieve business-friendly solutions in a fast and effective manner, addressing all aspects of the dispute.
Advantages of mediation
• Mediation reaches the very core of the dispute between the parties, going beyond the purely legal framework.
• Flexibility – the procedure has no rigid rules and follows its own dynamics.
• Decision-making power – remains with the parties, while the mediator facilitates the dialogue and provides a neutral third-party perspective.
• If the procedure is unsuccessful, the dispute may still be referred to court or arbitration.
• Preservation of relationships between the parties.
• Building joint plans – from opponents in a dispute (most often of a legal nature), the parties may become business partners.
Scope
• The legal dispute between the parties;
• It may go far beyond the legal dispute;
• Suitable for disputes that are time-barred but remain important for the parties;
• Suitable for areas where the development of relationships outpaces legal development and the existing legal framework;
Forward-looking approach
In mediation, the parties do not argue about the law, but instead seek a solution that allows them to move forward. All other procedures are oriented towards the past, which cannot be changed.
Balanced settlement
The presence of the mediator ensures that the parties’ true interests are revealed and balanced in order to achieve a fair and sustainable outcome. Unlike negotiations, where interests collide and both parties seek to prevail, mediation ensures balance through the mediator’s role.
Resources
A time- and cost-efficient solution can be achieved within a matter of days, and where necessary it may be approved by the court.
Choice of lawyers and drafting of the final settlement agreement
In mediation, the lawyers chosen by the parties draft the final settlement agreement, rather than a third party who has not had the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the matter. The parties’ legal representatives are best placed to understand the dispute in depth. In this way, mediation provides a unique opportunity for the parties to choose the lawyers who will draft the final document.
Risk
In mediation, the risk of losing does not exist, as the goal is to achieve a win-win solution for both parties.
Do you need assistance with mediation or out-of-court dispute resolution??
Contact attorney Dima Alexandrova, an experienced mediator, and receive timely and professional legal advice tailored to your specific case.📞 Mobile: 0889 430 111
📧 Email: office@adimalaw.com
Attorney Dima Alexandrova
Attorney at Law | Mediator Member of Sofia Bar Association
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