What Makes a Great Mediator?
- Good listener
- Neutral
- Understands parties’ interests
- Fits with your preferred “style” (more on Mediator Styles)
What Qualifications Does a Mediator Need?
Oregon does not have one statewide standard for all mediators. Quality can vary widely between practicing mediators so vetting a potential mediator is important.- Mediators who are OMA members agree to abide by OMA standards of practice.
- Most reputable mediators operate under OMA training and experience guidelines or according to local Community Dispute Resolution Center rules.
- OMA certification (in development) signifies a designated level of training and experience.
- For some cases, including court ordered cases, additional guidelines may apply.
Questions to ask when talking to potential mediators:
- What are your fees? Do you calculate them daily, hourly, etc.? How long would you expect a case like mine to take?
- What kind of training and education do you have? How do you keep your skills fresh?
- How would you describe your experience?What kinds of disputes have you worked with in the past? How long have you practiced? Do you have an area of specialization?
- How would your past clients describe you? Can you provide any references?
- What are your professional memberships? What ethical standards to you follow?
- What are our next steps?
Five Steps to Choosing a Mediator
- Decide what you want from mediation
- Get a list of mediators
- Look over mediator’s written qualifications
- Interview mediators
- Evaluate information and make decision
A full list of ideas for finding, evaluating, and choosing the right mediator can be found in the Consumers Guide To Mediation.