SIMPLER, FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT PROCEDURES
In the day-to-day operations of businesses, customer complaints, conflicts, and consumer disputes may arise whose resolution does not necessarily require—or justify—resorting to court proceedings. The NMHH Decree No. 6/2025 (V. 8.), which entered into force yesterday, modernises the procedural rules of out-of-court dispute resolution bodies operating within the framework of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), amending Decree No. 4/2024 (III. 21.) of the NMHH. The amendment aims to strengthen the role of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) within the broader toolkit of conflict management. Although the regulation applies to a relatively narrow field—namely out-of-court dispute resolution procedures falling under the competence of the NMHH, particularly disputes related to electronic communications, postal services, online platform services, and media services—it fits well into Hungary’s increasingly institutionalised and expanding ADR system. This amendment represents another important step toward ensuring that disputes can be resolved peacefully, swiftly, and efficiently, outside formal litigation, in an ever-wider range of cases.
WHY IS THIS CHANGE IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES?
For businesses—especially commercial service providers—the prompt and effective handling of customer complaints is not only a competitive advantage but also a regulatory expectation. The purpose of the amendment is to align out-of-court dispute resolution procedures more closely with practical realities, particularly by expanding opportunities for digital communication. Electronic communication may now become the primary channel between dispute resolution bodies and service providers, accelerating case handling, reducing administrative burdens, and eliminating risks associated with postal delivery. The initiation of proceedings also becomes simpler and more transparent: clearly defined information requirements reduce the likelihood of errors and support better data management. Following the submission of a complaint, the dispute resolution body provides detailed information on legal effects and deadlines, offering businesses a clearer framework for preparing their dispute resolution strategy. The outcome of dispute resolution proceedings may be made public, which is particularly significant in sectors built on consumer trust, such as e-commerce, telecommunications, and other service industries.
The amendment also revises the remuneration of panel members, encouraging faster and more predictable case management.
MEDIATION AS A TOOL FOR PEACEFUL DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Peaceful dispute resolution is not limited to institutional procedures alone. Mediation is a market-based conflict resolution method aimed at reaching a mutually agreed settlement. The mediator assists opposing parties in understanding each other’s perspectives, accepting differing viewpoints, and jointly developing their own solution to the dispute. The mediation process is confidential and non-public, allowing economic actors to manage disputes without reputational risk. Due to its less formalised nature, mediation is more flexible than other dispute resolution mechanisms and can be tailored to the specific needs of the parties involved. In the context of commercial mediation, the method is applicable not only to consumer disputes but also to subcontractor and supplier conflicts, contract interpretation issues, service quality disputes, and even conflicts related to healthcare services. Overall, the key advantages of commercial mediation for businesses lie in its flexibility, full confidentiality, and broad applicability. Mediation and formal dispute resolution body procedures do not exclude each other; on the contrary, economic actors benefit most when they are familiar with both tools and apply them strategically depending on the type of dispute.