The Barcelona Housing Consortium (CHB) and the Illustrious Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB) have signed a collaboration agreement to launch a mediation programme aimed at preventing housing disputes from reaching the courts.

The initiative, known as the MASC (Appropriate Means of Dispute Resolution) programme, offers mediation and conciliation services to individuals and households struggling to access or retain housing. It responds to Law 1/2025 on measures for the efficiency of the Public Justice Service, which encourages the use of alternative dispute resolution methods before initiating judicial proceedings in certain civil cases.

Under the agreement, legal advisory services at Barcelona’s Housing Offices will refer eligible cases to the ICAB’s ADR Centre, which will assess admissibility and appoint a qualified mediator or conciliator. The process guarantees impartiality, independence, and confidentiality, with follow-up support provided until agreements are fully implemented.

70,000 Euros Funded for First Year

The CHB will contribute 70,000 euros during the first year of the one-year agreement, which is renewable annually for up to four years. The ICAB commits to managing cases and ensuring high-quality, effective service delivery through its ADR Centre, a dedicated unit for non-judicial conflict resolution open to both professionals and the public.

In a context of housing crisis, this agreement seeks to support people who may be in a difficult housing situation in every possible way, with the ultimate goal that, whenever possible, they can remain in their homes without the need for judicial proceedings.

Said Jordi Valls, Deputy Mayor for Economy, Housing, Finance, and Tourism.

The importance of mediating lawyers being present in the resolution of housing conflicts.

Stated Carles Garcia Roqueta, Secretary of the ICAB and head of the ADR Centre.

This new mediation programme complements an earlier agreement signed in January 2026 between the CHB and ICAB to extend free legal guidance on housing issues to all of Barcelona’s districts, previously available only in Ciutat Vella.

The initiative also builds on ongoing work within the Eixample district’s tenant table, which analyses disputes between tenants and large landlords, particularly those involving investment funds in the city centre.

Preventing residential conflicts, safeguarding the right to housing, and promoting consensual solutions are key priorities under the municipal 'Pla Viure' (Living Plan), which guides the city’s strategy on public housing, affordability, rehabilitation, and support for low-income residents.

Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by icab.cat, ebedit.icab.cat, 1.icab.cat, lawyerpress.com, en.ara.cat.