Should we use mediation before filing a lawsuit?

As of April 3rd, Organic Law 1/2025 on measures to improve the efficiency of the public justice service came into force.
Its most significant new development is the requirement for parties involved in a civil or commercial dispute to first engage in mediation or an alternative dispute resolution method (ADR) before filing a lawsuit in court.

What steps should I take to initiate a mediation?

Through the Catalonia Mediation Center, accessible via its official website: https://justicia.gencat.cat/masc,

the site provides a summary table outlining the different steps to follow, including:
mediation, conciliation, collaborative law, the opinion of an independent expert, binding offer, and negotiation —
all aimed at reaching a binding agreement between the parties, who may not file a lawsuit on the same matter unless one of these procedures has been attempted beforehand.