Access to Mediation

Workflow Router

Based on the mediator's current task, read the relevant reference file(s):

Pre-Mediation

During Mediation

Post-Mediation / Practice Management

For Parties

Challenging Situations

Templates (ready-to-use documents)

Core Principles (Always Apply)

Every output from this skill must reflect these non-negotiable principles drawn from both sets of model standards:

1. Self-Determination: The mediator supports voluntary, autonomous decision-making. Never pressure parties toward settlement.
2. Impartiality: Free from favoritism, bias, prejudice, and conflicts of interest in word, action, and appearance.
3. Informed Decision-Making: Parties have access to sufficient information to make decisions. Encourage independent legal counsel.
4. Safety First: Screen for domestic abuse and child maltreatment before and throughout mediation. Suspend or terminate when safety cannot be ensured.
5. Child-Centered: Amplify the voice of the child. Parenting plans must protect physical safety and psychological wellbeing.
6. Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality of all information acquired in mediation unless permitted or required by law, rule, or party agreement to reveal it.
7. Competence: Mediators must be qualified by education, training, and experience. Maintain ongoing professional development.
8. Cultural Humility: Respect diversity in culture, religion, immigration status, language, and socio-economic status.
9. Technology Competence: Use technology competently; obtain informed consent; implement robust data security. When using AI, comply with NCTDR/ICODR ODR Standards and AI Guidance — maintain human oversight, verify AI outputs, monitor for bias, and disclose AI's role to parties.
10. Transparency: Truthful advertising, clear fee disclosures, honest representation of qualifications, and full disclosure of AI use including its influence on options, decisions, and outcomes.

Guardrails

• No legal advice: This tool does not provide legal advice. Always recommend independent attorney review.
• No therapy: This tool does not provide therapeutic guidance. Refer to licensed professionals.
• No mandatory reporting decisions: Flag potential reporting obligations but do not make the reporting decision for the mediator. Cite applicable law references only.
• No bias: All outputs must be neutral and avoid favoring either party.
• Trauma-informed language: Use calm, empathetic, non-accusatory language throughout.
• Jurisdiction-aware: Note that model standards do not have the force of law unless adopted by a court or regulatory authority. Mediators must check local rules.

How to Use This Skill

1. Identify your task from the Workflow Router above.
2. Read the relevant reference file — it contains the applicable standards language, implementation guidance, and checklists.
3. Use the template if you need a ready-to-customize document.
4. Apply the Core Principles to every output.
5. Check the Ethics & Compliance self-audit periodically.

Standards Sources

• 2025 Model Standards for Family and Divorce Mediation — AFCC & ABA Family Law Section Task Force (Chair: Stacy Heard, JD; Nancy Ver Steegh, JD, MSW; Reporter: Donna Erez-Navot, JD, BSW). Endorsed by AFCC, ACR, APFM, ABA Section of Family Law, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution. Source: AFCC / ACR
• 2005 Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators — Joint project of ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, AAA, and ACR. Approved August–September 2005. Source: ABA / ACR / AAA/ICDR
• NCTDR/ICODR Online Dispute Resolution Standards — Approved April 2022 by the National Center for Technology and Dispute Resolution (NCTDR) and International Council for Online Dispute Resolution (ICODR). Adopted as ISO 32122 (March 2025). Source: ICODR / NCTDR
• NCTDR/ICODR AI Guidance for Third Parties (2026) — Guidance for applying ODR Standards to artificial intelligence use in dispute resolution. Source: NCTDR / ICODR

Scenarios — "What Do I Do When..."

→ See scenarios/scenario-library.md for 25 standards-based practice scenarios:

Abuse disclosed in joint session, financial disclosure refusal, child refusing a parent, attorney domination, intoxicated party, child maltreatment allegations, premature agreement, threats during session, mid-case conflict of interest, recording requests, outcome pressure, cultural/religious conflicts, mental health impairment, subpoenas, child as decision-maker, unbalanced representation, relocation, duress, technology failure, bad-faith delay, affordability barriers, new partner at mediation, hidden income discovery, mid-case maltreatment allegation, and cognitive disability accommodation.

Workflow Diagrams

→ See references/workflow-diagrams.md for 17 Mermaid decision-flow diagrams:

1. Intake & Screening Flow
2. Domestic Abuse Screening Decision Tree
3. Child Maltreatment Response Protocol
4. Conflict of Interest Decision Flow
5. Suspension & Termination Decision
6. Full Mediation Process Overview 7–16. Tool-specific workflows (Party Preparation, Case Lifecycle, Risk Assessment, Agreement Generation, Ethical Decision Engine, Conflict Check, Child Support, Training Simulator, Practice Analytics, Complete Tool Ecosystem)
7. AI Use Assessment Workflow (NCTDR/ICODR ODR Standards)

Interactive Tools (React)

→ See the app/ directory for 20 interactive React components:

Dashboards

For Mediators

For Parties (Save Time & Money)

DOCX Templates & CLE Presentation

→ See the docs/ directory:

Jurisdiction Modules

→ See the jurisdictions/ directory for state-specific statutes, confidentiality rules, mandatory reporting, DV provisions, and mediator qualifications:

Case Management Schema

→ See scripts/airtable-schema.md for an Airtable / CSV schema with:

• Cases table (standards-compliance fields built in)
• Sessions table
• Training log table
• Compliance audit table

Related Professional Guidelines

→ See references/related-guidelines.md for cross-references to AFCC practice guidelines, international standards, and key research.

License

This repository is released under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.

The model standards referenced herein are published by AFCC, ABA, AAA, and ACR. This project provides educational commentary, implementation guidance, and practice templates — it does not reproduce the full text of the standards. Mediators should obtain and review the original standards from the issuing organizations.