Mediation Center of Charlottesville

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Becoming a Mediator

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 Skills Training
  • 4-hour Virginia’s Judicial System Training
  • 20-hour Family Mediation Skills 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-hour Virginia’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-hour Case Observations 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 Skills Training
  • 4-hour Virginia’s Judicial System Training
  • 20-hour Family Mediation Skills 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 Observations 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

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Become a Mediator

Interested in becoming a Certified Mediator? All our Mediators have extensive training and are Certified by the Virginia Supreme Court.

Pages for Mediators

  • Become a Mediator
    • Requirements
    • Things to Consider
  • Training & Workshops for Mediators
    • Training Schedule for Mediators
  • Additional Resources

What’s UP?

Mediations and Co-Parenting Classes Are Available Online

MCC has transitioned to online for many of the services we offer. Our certified mediators and … [Read More...]

Thank you, CACF and the Community Recovery & Catalyst Grant for your generous support of MCC!

Through a partnership between the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation and Bama Works, Dorothy … [Read More...]

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