Becoming a Mediator | Mediation Center of Charlottesville

What do mediators do?
The mediator guides the process to give all the parties an opportunity to be heard, identify the issues to be resolved, generate possible alternatives, and help parties reach voluntary agreements that are acceptable to all. The mediator will not give advice, decide who is right or wrong, or suggest a particular solution. Rather, the mediator helps the disputants come up with their own solution. If an agreement is reached, the mediator writes a Memorandum of Agreement, outlining the terms and the responsibilities of each party.

Certification Requirements
All mediators at the Mediation Center of Charlottesville must be certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia.

VIRGINIA MEDIATOR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL DISTRICT COURT

Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience
20-hour Basic Mediation Skills Training
4-hour Virginia’s Judicial System Training
2 Observations with a certified mentor

OR 8-hour Case Observations class

3 Co-mediations (minimum 5 hours) with a certified mentor

JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT

Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience
20-hour Basic Mediation Training
4-hour Virginia’s Judicial System Training
20-hour Family Mediation Training
8-hour Domestic Violence in Mediation Training
2 Observations (with a certified mediator)

OR 8-hour Case Observations for Family class

5 Co-mediations (minimum 10 hours) with a certified mentor
Submission of Child Support Worksheet and Memorandum of Agreement

MENTOR STATUS

Current Virginia Mediator Certification
Recertification at least once

Completion of a 2-hour Mentoring Others Class

CIRCUIT COURT CIVIL

Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience
20-hour Basic Mediation Skills Training
4-hourVirginia’s Judicial System Training
20-hour Circuit Court Civil Training
2 observations of Circuit Court Civil Cases (If GD-certified, need only 1 observation)

OR 8 hr. Case Observation Class

5 Co-mediations (minimum 10 hours) with a certified mentor
(if GD-certified, need only 2 co-mediations)

CIRCUIT COURT FAMILY

Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience
20-hour Basic Mediation Training
4-hourVirginia’s Judicial System Training
20-hour Family Mediation Training
8-hour Domestic Violence in Mediation Training
12-hour Advanced Family Training
2 observations of Circuit Court Family cases (if JDR-certified, need only 1 observation)

OR 8-hour Case Observation Class

5 Co-mediations (minimum 10 hours) with a certified mentor (if JDR-certified, need only 2 co-mediations)
Submission of Child Support Worksheet and Memorandum of Agreement

For additional information, see www.courts.state.va.us/drs/main.htm

An applicant for certification shall have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or shall submit evidence of relevant experience and qualifications sufficient to support certification.

To be recertified, required every 2 years, a mediator must take continuing mediator education classes (8 hours) and mediate a minimum of 5 cases.

For more information on mediation and certification requirements, see
http://www.courts.state.va.us/courtadmin/aoc/djs/programs/drs/mediation/home.html

Helpful Things to Consider Before Becoming a Mediator

Description of Training & Workshops

Current Training & Workshops Schedule