The Following is the actual language of the Court Rule on mediators.

Rule 17-104. Qualifications and selection of mediators.

(a) Qualifications in general - To be designated by the court as a mediator, other than by agreement of the parties, a person must:

(1) unless waived by the court, be at least 21 years old and have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;

Committee Note.
This subsection permits a waiver because the quality of a mediator's skill is not necessarily measured by age or formal education.

(2) have completed at least 40 hours of mediation training in a program meeting the requirements of Rule 17-106;

(3) complete in every two year period eight hours of continuing mediation-related education in a program meeting the requirements of Rule 17-106;

(4) abide by any standards adopted by the Court of Appeals;

(5) submit to periodic monitoring of court-ordered mediations by a qualified mediator designated by the county administrative judge; and

(6) comply with procedures and requirements prescribed in the court's case management plan filed under Rule 16-203 b. relating to diligence, quality assurance, and a willingness to accept a reasonable number of referrals on a reduced-fee or pro bono basis upon request by the court.

(b) Additional qualifications - Child access disputes - To be designated by the court as a mediator with respect to issues concerning child access, the person must:

(1) have the qualifications prescribed in section (a) of this Rule;

(2) have completed at least 20 hours of training in a family mediation training program meeting the requirements of Rule 17-106; and

(3) have observed or co-mediated at least eight hours of child access mediation sessions conducted by persons approved by the county administrative judge, in addition to any observations during the training program.

(c) Additional qualifications - Marital property issues - To be designated by the court as a mediator in divorce cases with marital property issues, the person must:

(1) have the qualifications prescribed in section (a) of this Rule;

(2) have completed at least 20 hours of skill-based training in mediation of marital property issues; and

(3) have observed or co-mediated at least eight hours of divorce mediation sessions involving marital property issues conducted by persons approved by the county administrative judge, in addition to any observations during the training program.

[Amended Nov. 1, 2001, effective Jan. 1, 2002.]

Source: Maryland Court Rules

Last review date: 9/27/02 (MLAN/AC)