Arkansas Divorce Mediation
Arkansas Divorce Mediation standards for Domestic relations
Training: The applicant must have attended -
- A family mediation course; if it is completed out of the state, then the applicant must have completed the Commission’s course on Arkansas Law for Mediators, or
- 40 hours of basic mediation training and 20 hours of family mediation training dedicated completely to parenting or family mediation that is endorsed by the Commission, or
- At least 40 hours in a family mediation training program that has been endorsed by the Commission
Education: The applicant must possess -
- Considerable, demonstrated and satisfactory experience, abilities, skills and knowledge as a mediator, or
- A juris doctorate or equivalent, or
- Bachelor’s degree and a graduate level certificate in conflict resolution from a law school, university or accredited college which has been endorsed by the Commission, or
- A Master’s Degree or higher, or
- A Bachelor’s degree along with minimum 2 years work experience in marriage and family issues
Practical Experience:
- The applicant must have co-mediated, mediated or observed 2 domestic relations mediations
- The co-mediations and observations must be done in this state along with an Arkansas ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution ) Commission certified mediator
Ethics: The applicant must –
- Accept and adhere to the Requirements for the Conduct of Mediation and Mediators of the Arkansas ADR Commission
- Be of good moral demeanor
Arkansas Divorce Mediation basic 40 hour training program
In the basic 40 hour training program, the following areas of information are covered –
- Historical perspective of mediation
- Important aspects of legislation that are relevant to the mediation practice
- Difference between mediation and other types of dispute resolution
- Theory of mediation inclusive of topics like definition, characteristics, benefits, types of mediators and mediation, difference in the role of arbitrators, mediators and judges
- The court process involved in mediation, inclusive of
- Pre-filing and post-filing mediation
- Different disputes that may emerge in a specific variety of mediation program
- Local procedures, laws and rules that govern a mediation program
- Effects of mediation agreement and failure to reach an agreement
- Mediation Process and techniques
- Self awareness
- Ethics
- Basic knowledge of Arkansas legal system and procedures
Action against mediators
If a mediator contained in the Commission’s Roster of Certified Mediators is found guilty of the following, then the Commission might take an adverse, disciplinary or other action against such a mediator or applicant –
- Violation of the procedures or policies of a program overseen by the Commission
- Violation of the “Requirements for the Conduct of Mediations and Mediators”
- Violation of the “Requirements for the Certification of Mediators for Circuit Courts” of the Commission
- Moral turpitude or threatened violence or violence or felony or any misdemeanor adversely affecting mediation
- Gross misconduct, incompetence or negligence in the practice of mediation
- Omission, material misrepresentation, deceit or fraud in any information offered to the Commission like the application to the Commission’s Roster of Mediators
| 
