The Ohio Supreme Court asks for public comments on proposed amendments that would broaden the mediator qualifications for courts across the state.

Currently, 77 percent of common pleas courts refer cases to mediation, and 63 percent of courts do so statewide. Of the courts that use mediation, 84 percent have a local rule regarding mediation. Right now, the current rule reads that a court “shall consider, and may adopt, a local rule providing for mediation.” Under the proposed rules, courts would continue to have discretion in whether to refer cases to mediation, but those courts that elect to refer cases to mediation would be required to have a local rule.

Under proposed Rules 16-16.36 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, provisions will be updated or added to include:

• Responsibilities of mediators
• Responsibilities of courts
• Pre-referral education and training
• Complaint process
• Core values for mediation

The proposed rules will also add a requirement that local rules governing mediation must incorporate Ohio’s Uniform Mediation Act, identify the cases eligible for mediation, and address confidentiality.

Comments to the proposed amendment should be submitted in writing or via email by Aug. 15 to:

Catherine Geyer
Dispute Resolutions Programs Manager
Ohio Supreme Court
65 South Front St., 6th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215 or
MediationComments@sc.ohio.gov

PDF files may be viewed, printed, and searched using the free Acrobat^® Reader
Acrobat Reader is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.