In France, the process of administrative mediation is regulated by the Code of Administrative Justice (C.J.A). This legal framework outlines the qualifications and ethical responsibilities of mediators, who must have at least five years of experience in public law and can be either individuals or organizations. Mediation can be initiated by the parties involved through an agreement or by an administrative judge during legal proceedings via an order. Unlike in civil cases, administrative courts choose mediators based on specific criteria set by the C.J.A. A special form of mediation, known as "hybrid" mediation, allows parties not involved in ongoing disputes to request the administrative court to appoint a mediator. This is permitted under article L213-5 of the C.J.A, which allows the president of the administrative court or the administrative court of appeal to organize the process. The mediator's fees can be agreed upon by the parties or set by the court, legal aid, or insurance. However, the cost of mediation, which often ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 euros, can be a barrier for some individuals seeking resolution. Mandatory preliminary mediation (M.P.O) applies to specific types of disputes, such as those involving public sector workers and France Travail. These rules are established by a decree and a law passed in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The M.P.O must be initiated within the time limit for filing an appeal, which is paused during mediation. If mediation fails, the parties may pursue an appeal, but the time limit for the appeal is not restarted. Administrative mediation can be initiated by the judge on their own initiative, provided the parties agree, as outlined in article L213-7 of the C.J.A. It is commonly used in areas like public contracts, urban planning, public services, and procurement. For instance, disputes over building permits or public contracts may benefit from this process. The Council of State has acknowledged that parties may seek conciliation or mediation before presenting their case to the administrative judge. Administrative mediation is not applicable in certain areas, such as disputes involving disciplinary actions or the dismissal of civil servants, where the administration holds exclusive decision-making power. It is also not used in disputes related to the law of foreigners, which are governed by specific regulations set by the CESEDA. The rules regarding time limits for appeals and legal prescriptive periods are outlined in article L213-6 of the C.J.A. Mediation interrupts these time limits and suspends them from the day the parties agree to mediation. These limits resume once the mediator declares the process complete, but not before six months have passed. The outcome of administrative mediation includes formalizing agreements, which can be either non-transactional or transactional. Non-transactional agreements may involve oral or written modifications or withdrawals of administrative decisions. Transactional agreements follow general contract law but certain types, like those involving public property, are prohibited. The administrative judge may approve the agreement to give it enforceable force, ensuring it aligns with civil law and public administration rules. This approval simplifies the enforcement of the agreement by public entities, which are monitored by authorities like the minister of supervision or the Prefect. In cases where only partial agreements are reached, the judge who appointed the mediator is better suited to address the remaining issues. Administrative mediation, therefore, involves two key stages: the implementation of the mediation and the judicial review of the agreement.