Ill. R. Cir. Ct. Will Cnty. 17.04

As amended through September 23, 2024

Rule 17.04 - Mediator Qualifications

A. Circuit Court Mediator

The Administrator of the mediation program shall maintain the lists of mediators who have been certified by the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division and who have registered for appointment. For certification as a civil mediator in the 12^th Judicial Circuit, Will County, Illinois, the applicant must meet or exceed one of the following criteria:

1. The applicant shall certify that he / she is currently a mediator in a State of Illinois Court Annexed Major Civil Case Mediation Program in another County in the State of Illinois; or

2. The applicant shall certify that he or she is currently a mediator in a program approved by the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division of the 12^th Judicial Circuit; or

3. The applicant shall certify that he / she has served as a mediator in major civil case(s) and shall provide requested verification information as requested; or

4. The applicant shall certify to having successfully completed mediation training in a program consisting of at least forty (40) hours of training approved by the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division of the 12^th Judicial Circuit.

B. Mediator General Standards

In each case, the mediator shall comply with such general standards as may, from time to time, be established and promulgated in writing by the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division.

C. Decertification of Mediators

The eligibility of each mediator to retain the status of a certified mediator may be periodically reviewed by the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division Failure to adhere to this General Order governing mediation or the General Standards provided for above may result in the decertification of the mediator.

D. Mediator Immunity

A mediator, approved and certified by this Circuit and acting pursuant to these rules, shall have judicial immunity in the same manner and to the same extent as a judge, under the authority conferred by Supreme Court Rule 99(b)(1) as amended, effective October 10, 2001.

E. Mediator Pro-Bono Requirement

Each court-certified mediator shall agree to mediate at least one case per year without compensation if the Court has determined that mediation might be beneficial and that none of the parties has the resources to compensate a mediator.

For certification as a mediator for Family Division cases, refer to section 8.17(B).

Ill. R. Cir. Ct. Will Cnty. 17.04

Effective 11/30/2015; Revised 10/1/2023.