die  Schlichtung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃlɪçtʊŋ/

🕊️ What does 'die Schlichtung' mean?

Die Schlichtung (feminine noun, plural: die Schlichtungen) refers to a process for the out-of-court settlement of disputes. A neutral third party or body (der Schlichter - male mediator/arbitrator, die Schlichterin - female mediator/arbitrator, or die Schlichtungsstelle - arbitration/mediation board) helps the conflicting parties find an agreement.

Unlike court proceedings, the goal of a Schlichtung is often a compromise (der Kompromiss) that both sides can accept. The outcome of a Schlichtung (der Schlichtungsspruch - settlement decision/award) can be binding or non-binding, depending on the prior agreement.

A distinction is often made between:

• Schlichtung in the narrower sense: A more formal procedure, often involving a settlement proposal from the mediator/arbitrator.
• Mediation (die Vermittlung): Here, the mediator helps the parties develop their own solution.

⚠️ Attention: Although similar, Schlichtung, Mediation, and Schiedsverfahren (arbitration proceedings) are not exactly the same; the differences lie in the procedure and the binding nature of the decision.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar Overview: Declining Schlichtung

The word 'Schlichtung' is a feminine noun. The article is 'die'. This is typical for nouns ending in -ung.

Example Sentences

1. Die Schlichtung zwischen Arbeitgeber und Gewerkschaft war erfolgreich.
   (The mediation between the employer and the union was successful.)
2. Wir haben uns für eine Schlichtung entschieden, um einen langen Rechtsstreit zu vermeiden.
   (We opted for mediation/arbitration to avoid a lengthy legal dispute.)
3. Die zuständige Schlichtungsstelle leitete das Verfahren ein.
   (The responsible arbitration board initiated the procedure.)
4. Das Ergebnis der Schlichtung wurde von beiden Parteien akzeptiert.
   (The result of the mediation/arbitration was accepted by both parties.)

🗣️ Using 'die Schlichtung' in Context

The term 'Schlichtung' is primarily used in legal and business contexts, but also for private conflicts.

• Arbeitsrecht (Labor Law): In collective bargaining disputes between trade unions (Gewerkschaften) and employers' associations (Arbeitgeberverbände) - known as Tarifschlichtung.
• Verbraucherrecht (Consumer Law): In disputes between consumers and companies (e.g., regarding travel, energy contracts, banking). There are special consumer arbitration boards (Verbraucherschlichtungsstellen).
• Mietrecht (Tenancy Law): In conflicts between tenants and landlords.
• Nachbarschaftsstreitigkeiten (Neighbor Disputes): As an attempt to resolve conflicts without going to court.

Context and Differentiation:

• Schlichtung vs. Gerichtsverfahren (Court Proceedings): A Schlichtung is generally faster, cheaper, and less formal than court proceedings. It aims for an agreement (Einigung) rather than a judgment (Urteil).
• Schlichtung vs. Mediation (die Vermittlung): In mediation, the parties themselves develop the solution, with the mediator merely guiding the process. In Schlichtung, the mediator/arbitrator often makes a specific settlement proposal. However, the lines can be blurry.
• Schlichtung vs. Schiedsverfahren (Arbitration Proceedings): An arbitration proceeding is more similar to a court case; the result (Schiedsspruch - arbitral award) is usually binding and replaces a state court judgment.

Typical phrases include: eine Schlichtung beantragen (to apply for mediation/arbitration), eine Schlichtung durchführen (to conduct mediation/arbitration), zur Schlichtung kommen (to reach a settlement), die Schlichtung scheitert (the mediation/arbitration fails).

🧠 Mnemonics for Schlichtung

Article Mnemonic: Most German nouns ending in -ung are feminine, including die Schlichtung. Think of other '-ung' words like die Lösung (the solution), die Meinung (the opinion), die Vermittlung (the mediation) – they are all 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic: The verb is 'schlichten'. 'Schlicht' in German means plain, simple. A Schlichtung tries to make a dispute 'plain' or 'simple' by smoothing things over and finding a straightforward resolution, ending the conflict 'schlicht'. You could also think: Trying to find a 'slick' solution leads to *Schlichtung*.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

Look-alikes:

• Schichtung: (Layering, stratification) Refers to layers (e.g., geological strata, social stratification). Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie nicht versucht, die Sache außergerichtlich durch eine Schlichtung zu regeln?" Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Hohes Gericht, ich habe es versucht! Aber der andere wollte sich partout nicht mit mir prügeln!"

English Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Why didn't you try to settle the matter out of court through mediation?" The defendant replies: "Your Honor, I tried! But the other guy absolutely refused to fight me!"

✒️ Poem: The Art of Mediation

German:
Wo Zorn und Streit die Luft erfüllen,
Und harte Worte Wunden schürfen still,
Da tritt die Schlichtung auf, ganz leis,
Bringt Ruhe in den lauten Kreis.

Ein neutraler Blick, ein offenes Ohr,
Ein Weg zur Einigung steht nun bevor.
Nicht Urteil fällt, kein strenger Schluss,
Nur Kompromiss als Friedenskuss.

So löst sich mancher Knoten sacht,
Durch Schlichtung wird der Friede neu entfacht.

English Translation:
Where anger and dispute fill the air,
And harsh words quietly inflict their wounds,
There enters mediation, soft and low,
Bringing calm where loud conflicts grow.

A neutral gaze, an open ear,
A path to agreement now is clear.
No judgment falls, no stern decree,
Just compromise, a kiss of peace.

Thus many knots gently untie,
Through mediation, peace is born anew.

❓ Who am I? A Little Riddle

German:
Ich komme, wenn zwei sich streiten sehr,
Doch zum Gericht will keiner mehr.
Ein Dritter hilft, ganz unparteiisch,
Findet Wege, fein und leis.
Mein Ziel ist Frieden, Kompromiss im Nu.
Wer bin ich wohl? Sag du!

English Translation:
I come when two are deep in strife,
But court holds no appeal for life.
A third one helps, impartial, true,
Finds pathways, subtle, quiet too.
My aim is peace, a compromise so fast.
Who am I? Tell me at last!

Solution: Die Schlichtung (Mediation / Arbitration / Conciliation)

🧩 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word 'Schlichtung' derives from the verb 'schlichten', which means 'to smooth', 'to settle', 'to arrange'. The suffix '-ung' transforms it into a noun denoting the process or result of settling a dispute.

Typical Institutions/Terms:

• Schlichtungsstelle: An organization or authority offering mediation/arbitration procedures (e.g., Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr - SÖP, the arbitration board for public transport in Germany).
• Schlichtungsverfahren: The formal procedure of a mediation or arbitration process.
• Schlichter/Schlichterin: The neutral person conducting the process.
• Schlichtungsspruch / Schlichtungsvorschlag: The decision, award, or proposal resulting from the procedure.

A willingness to engage in Schlichtung is often seen as a sign of cooperation and a desire for constructive conflict resolution.