Texas law requires that State trial Courts be active in promoting alternative dispute resolution, and authorizes the Courts to refer cases to mediation and appoint mediators. Issues regarding mediator qualifications and ethics have finally resulted in mediator credentialing in Texas in a effort to assist the Courts, attorneys and the public in identifying mediators who have accomplished a meaningful level of mediator training and experience, and who have committed themselves to practice standards and rules of ethics for mediators enforceable through a grievance procedure.
This article will provide Judges, mediators and the public with the following important information about the significance of mediator credentialing to the work of the Courts in referring cases to mediation:
The Court’s statutory obligations in making referrals to mediation.
The statutory criteria the Court must consider in making referrals of cases to qualified mediators.
The nature and significance of mediator credentialing to the Court in making referrals of cases to mediators.
