Requirements to be an Accredited Family Mediator
In order to be accredited as a Family Mediator, a candidate is required to complete the following 4 stages:

STAGE 1
 
  1. hold a current practising certificate
  2. have been engaged in the practice of law for at least 5 years on a full time basis or equivalent
  3. demonstrate a sufficient involvement in the area of family law for 3 years prior to application
  4. be a member of the Law Society
  5. Satisfactory completion of a basic family mediation training course or courses of 40 hours minimum duration approved by the Mediator Accreditation Committee
  

REMARKS:
The Committee has the right to waive any or all of these requirements in particular cases

             
     
STAGE 2
 

Co-mediate 2 actual family mediations under the supervision of a supervisor

 

REMARKS:
The candidate may refer to the Law Society website for a list of Accredited Family Mediation Supervisor

A supervision fee will be paid by the candidate to the supervisor / supervisor's agency

A supervisor will co-mediate or live supervise only one case with a candidate

Each case shall be of a minimum of five hours and must be sufficiently complex for the candidate to demonstrate the ability to manage emotional intensity and mediate complete financial and child-related matters.

   
 
 
 

After each mediation session, the supervisor will provide the trainee no less than 30 minutes feedback discussion and sign an evaluation form (Form MA4) within 14 days of the end of mediation

  
 
   
 
 
 

The candidate will be required to complete a self-evaluation form (Form MA2) and obtain 4 completed client evaluation forms (Form MA3) at the end of the mediation and forward these to the supervisor

  
 
   
   
STAGE 3
 
Satisfactory completion of an advanced family mediation training course approved by the Law Society

  

REMARKS:
Stage 3 may be completed before Stage 2

   
 
STAGE 4
 

A candidate may apply to the Mediator Accreditation Committee using Form MA1, attaching Forms MA2, MA3 and MA4 to the application and the fees for the application assessment

  
 

 
   
   
 
 

Prior to accreditation being approved, a candidate may be required by the Committee to take part in an accreditation assessment including a personal interview and a possible further simulation

  
   
   
   
 
 

Candidates who are accredited will have their names included in the relevant Law Society Panel of Accredited Mediators

  
   

(01.06.2009)