mediation attempts required[5] A new book under the auspices of this Commission, which will most probably be published in 2005, vi[6] deals with parental responsibility, and one of the questions included in the questionnaire (Question 57) is What alternative disputes solving mechanisms, if any, e.g. mediation or counselling, are offered in your legal system? Are such mechanisms also available at the stage of enforcement of a decision agreement concerning parental responsibilities, the child' s residence or contact? Although the questions were not aimed at obtaining reports on family mediation and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the countries and, therefore, the answers do not go into very great detail, these answers offer an excellent starting point from which, with the aid of other sources, an outline of the current situation of family mediation in Europe can be drawn. In very broad and general terms, family mediation follows similar steps in all European countries: 1) First, it is discovered with enthusiasm by professionals who deal with family conflicts; 2) next these professionals organise themse lves into associations for the promotion and the practice of mediation; 3)in a further step, the national legislature refers occasionally to mediation as a useful mechanism for the resolution of conflicts arising out of separation or divorce, a process that is considered preferable to adjudication in adversarial proceedings and 4)finally, family mediation obtains more detailed legal regulation as such or within the broader framework of rules dealing with mediation in civil and commercial matters In one of her forthcoming publications, Lisa Parkinson writes A picture of mediation in Europe would resemble a constantly changing patchwork quilt or mosaic. The pieces making up this patchwork have recurring patterns and colours, but they are not uniform and they are not woven to a single design. There are many missing pieces and the patchwork has gaps in it. A variegated patchwork that recognises cultural differences is preferable to uniformity. vii[7 Let us have a look at this patchwork.mediation attempts required?v[5] A new book under the auspices of this Commission, which will most probably be published in 2005,vi[6] deals with parental responsibility, and one of the questions included in the questionnaire (Question 57) is: What alternative disputes solving mechanisms, if any, e.g. mediation or counselling, are offered in your legal system? Are such mechanisms also available at the stage of enforcement of a decision/agreement concerning parental responsibilities, the child’s residence or contact? Although the questions were not aimed at obtaining reports on family mediation and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the countries and, therefore, the answers do not go into very great detail, these answers offer an excellent starting point from which, with the aid of other sources, an outline of the current situation of family mediation in Europe can be drawn. In very broad and general terms, family mediation follows similar steps in all European countries: 1) First, it is discovered with enthusiasm by professionals who deal with family conflicts; 2) next these professionals organise themselves into associations for the promotion and the practice of mediation; 3) in a further step, the national legislature refers occasionally to mediation as a useful mechanism for the resolution of conflicts arising out of separation or divorce, a process that is considered preferable to adjudication in adversarial proceedings and 4) finally, family mediation obtains more detailed legal regulation as such or within the broader framework of rules dealing with mediation in civil and commercial matters. In one of her forthcoming publications, Lisa Parkinson writes: A picture of mediation in Europe would resemble a constantly changing patchwork quilt or mosaic. The pieces making up this patchwork have recurring patterns and colours, but they are not uniform and they are not woven to a single design. There are many missing pieces and the patchwork has gaps in it. A variegated patchwork that recognises cultural differences is preferable to uniformity.vii[7] Let us have a look at this patchwork