Conciliation training guidelines modified
Trial Court Chief Justice Robert A. Mulligan approved a change
in the qualification training requirements for court-connected
conciliators, as recommended by the Standing Committee on Dispute
Resolution. The amended guidelines, effective March 1, 2013, permit
those who have completed an approved mediation training program to
serve as a conciliator in a court-approved program subject to the
approval of the conciliation program and the completion of the
necessary court orientation by the program.
Convergence of the mediation and conciliation training
requirements and a proliferation of court-approved conciliation
programs in the Trial Court over the past year, led to the
committee's recommendation. The alternative methods for meeting the
eight-hour training requirement for conciliation are deemed
satisfied if the person has completed a 30-hour mediation training
program and the requisite court orientation.
Accordingly, Article III of the Alternative Methods for
Conciliators in the guidelines implementing Rule 8 of the Uniform
Rules on Qualification Standards for Neutrals has been amended to
add: "Completed the training requirements for a mediator, as set
forth in Rule 8(c) in addition to a court orientation as an
approved conciliation program requires."
Pursuant to Rule 8(e), conciliators must be members of the
Massachusetts bar, be in good standing with the Board of Bar
Overseers and must have practiced law in Massachusetts for at least
three years.
District Court Judge Mark D Mason serves as chair of the
Trial Court Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution. Mason or
Timothy M. Linnehan, acting director of the Support Services
Department, are available to address questions.
JNC seeks applications
The Judicial Nominating Commission seeks applications for new
vacancies, one at the Superior Court, four at the District Court
and one at the Boston Municipal Court. Remaining application
deadlines include:
- The Holyoke and Northamption District Courts on Thursday, April
11; and
- The Boston Municipal Court on Thursday, April 25.
Visit www.mass.gov/governor/administration/jnc/vacancies/vacancies-open-for-applications.html
for more information.
"State of the Massachusetts Court System" for Fiscal
Year 2012 posted
The annual report on the "State of the Massachusetts Court System
for Fiscal Year 2012" has been posted.