The Fifth Judicial Circuit is offering a free certification course for volunteer county mediators at the Marion County Courthouse.
In a press release, the Fifth Judicial Circuit stated that volunteer mediators are needed to assist with an increased case load. A mediator is a neutral third party who conducts small claims mediations and assists the parties involved to “resolve their disputes in a voluntary and non-adversarial manner.”
The upcoming certification course begins on Monday, August 14, and it runs through Thursday, August 17. The daily classes will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marion County Courthouse, which is located at 110 NW 1st Avenue in Ocala.
The class size is limited to 12 individuals, and each participant must attend all 25 hours of training to receive a complete certificate. In addition, registered participants will observe one county mediation in-person in Marion, Lake, Sumter, or Hernando County prior to the training.
Mediators must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED, and they must pass a background check and complete the required training course. Upon certification through the Dispute Resolution Center in Tallahassee, the Fifth Judicial Circuit will provide an opportunity for co-mediation during a training period to help ensure each mediator’s comfort level prior to mediating on their own.
For more information, or if you are interested in registering for the training, contact ADR Director MaryAnn Aiyer via phone (352-638-1994) or email (MAiyer@circuit5.org).