The article describes the legal and conceptual framework of mediation and the organization of several projects. In addition, it presents 12 summary theses on mediation from a European perspective, including: the capability of the practice to relativize and possibly even eliminate the state's right to impose punishment; the project's design primarily for juvenile law or with regard to young offenders; mediation projects are still undergoing general evaluation; and criticism thus far seems to be based more on ideological reservations than on empirical evidence. The article concludes that the role of this practice through dialogue and mediation, reconciliation and peacemaking in criminal justice during the 21st century will depend on their solid entrenchment in criminal justice theory and practice. Notes, references