| General Civil Mediation | Domestic Mediation | Arbitration | Case Evaluation | |
| Education/Background | Baccalaureate Degree | Degree in Law and be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia with a minimum of 2 years experience as an attorney or Graduate Degree in a Mental Health, Behavioral Science field or Accounting with a minimum of 5 years experience in stated field | Degree in Law for Chief or sole Arbitrator. Law Degree or advanced degree or expertise in area of knowledge related to case as member of panel | Degree in Law |
| Training | Registered in General/Civil mediation with GODR. Observe 1 mediation; cofacilitate 1 mediation; be observed at DRC prior to solo service | Registered in Domestic Relations and Specialized Domestic Violence with GODR. Observe 1 mediation; cofacilitate 1 mediation; be observed at DRC prior to solo service | Meet all training requirements as set forth by GODR. Be observed twice as prospective panelist | 6 hours case evaluation training; cofacilitate 5 sessions prior to solo service; be observed at least once prior to solo service |
| Experience | 5 years civil mediation experience with a minimum of 10 mediations per year | 5 years domestic mediation experience with a minimum of 10 mediations per year | Chief Arbitrator 7 years experience in litigation. Non Attorney arbitrators 10 years content area of case experience | 10 years experience in litigation, 60% practice in civil litigation, 20% personal practice in area of law specific to the case |
| Continuing Education | 3 hours per year for recertification; minimum of 3 civil cases per year mediated through the DRC; observed a minimum of once annually by Director | 3 hours per year for recertification AND 3 hours CE/CLE specific to domestic relations; minimum 3 domestic cases per year mediated through the DRC; observed a minimum of once annually by Director | 3 hours per year for recertification | 3 hours per year for recertification |
NEUTRAL QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING STANDARDS
- All neutrals must be registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution
- All neutrals must be certified by the Dekalb Courts Dispute Resolution Center
The director may waive the listed requirements in appropriate instances.
