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Civil Mediation Workshop 2022

Fulfill Rule 8’s training requirements for mediators

  • Product Number: 2220241P01
  • CLE Credits, earn up to:
    30 substantive credits, 1 ethics credits CLE Credit Note
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  • Product Description

    Product Description


    Rule 8 of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Uniform Rules of Dispute Resolution prescribes system-wide standards for court-connected alternative dispute services in Massachusetts. Its guidelines establish training, evaluation, mentoring, and continuing education requirements for mediators. MCLE is pleased to present this four-day, thirty-hour workshop, which trains people to mediate civil cases under Rule 8. 

    Basic mediation training emphasizes interactive participation and encourages “learning by doing.” It includes a mixture of theory and practice. Lecture and role-play sessions cover basic considerations in the types of disputes addressed by mediation. 

    MCLE’s Civil Mediation Workshop includes:

    • instructions on the steps of the mediation process;
    • the role of the mediator;
    • ethical and legal issues in mediation;
    • bias awareness;
    • recognizing sensitive issues;
    • cultural diversity;
    • mediation demonstration; and
    • coached role-plays.

    Also covered are mediation skills/strategies including:

    • active listening,
    • the use of neutral language,
    • the art of rephrasing,
    • posing follow-up questions,
    • summarizing,
    • identifying issues,
    • negotiating agreement, and
    • agreement writing. 

    Selected Skills Checklist 

    Manage the Process:

    • Explain the mediation process and role of mediator;
    • Set a tone that helps put people at ease;
    • Be flexible in tailoring the process to the needs of the parties;
    • Respect the parties’ rights to make their own decisions;
    • Uphold the parameters of confidentiality. 

    Manage Interactions:

    • Maintain an open, honest, and supportive atmosphere;
    • Treat parties with respect and affirmation;
    • Maintain neutrality;
    • Avoid the appearance of bias or favoritism;
    • Handle conflict and strong emotions effectively;
    • Help parties to see problems from others’ point of view;
    • Avoid giving opinions or making judgments;
    • Keep discussions focused on issues relevant to the negotiations;
    • Demonstrate patience and persistence. 

    Manage Information:

    • Ask relevant and open-ended questions;
    • Present and reframe information clearly;
    • Seek understanding of underlying needs;
    • Determine areas of flexibility;
    • Introduce brainstorming or role reversal to encourage reevaluation of positions and development of options;
    • Encourage parties to develop new solutions;
    • Identify common interests;
    • Recognize potential areas of agreement;
    • Support parties’ control of the outcome;
    • Help to frame a clear, balanced, specific, and future-oriented agreement 

    Space is limited! Sign up today! 

    Registration notes
    Available on a first come, first served basis. Cancellations received two weeks prior to the workshop receive a full refund minus a $45 processing fee. Cancellations received after that date are not eligible for either a refund or a credit against future participation.

    This limited-enrollment program is not included in the MCLE OnlinePass®.

    Health and safety note
    Due to the interactive nature of this in-person workshop, registrants will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon arrival for Day 1 and must wear a mask when not eating or drinking. (See the CDC’s definition of full vaccination here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.)

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