North Carolina Application for Certification to Conduct Superior Court Mediations

Mediators can make a good living, but are not highly paid compared to other legal professionals. Additionally, they're often self-employed, so income can wax and wane.

Since 1995, North Carolina has made mediation (i.e., mediated settlement conferences) mandatory in all Superior Court actions.Although mediation is less formal than a trial, it is still a legal proceeding guided by rules adopted by the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.

To be accepted for family mediation training, you will normally need a higher education qualification or substantial relevant work experience. As part of the selection process, you will need to show that you have the right personal qualities and skills to be a family mediator.

Mediation is an informal and flexible dispute resolution process. The mediator's role is to guide the parties toward their own resolution. Through joint sessions and separate caucuses with parties, the mediator helps both sides define the issues clearly, understand each other's position and move closer to resolution.

What can I expect to pay for basic mediation training? Cost can range from as little as $600 for training offered through an all-volunteer community mediation program to several thousand dollars.

Get Certified. The Mediation Training Institute offers a listing of certification requirements for each state. Join an Association. Becoming a member of a professional group such as the National Association of Certified Mediators can give job candidates an advantage. Start Searching.

Costs risk if you unreasonably refuse to mediate You should expect the court to impose costs sanctions if you ignore or unreasonably turn down an invitation to mediate or indeed if you fail to consider mediation at all.

States with official court mediator rosters usually require between 20 and 40 hours of approved mediation training. Of those states with comprehensive statewide standards, the majority require greater training for neutrals who wish to mediate family disputes than for those interested in civil disputes.