October is about Mediation!

For decades now, the month of October has served as a time to reflect on the impact of mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) on the court system and the lives of litigants. ADR has been used by Florida courts for more than 35 years. Mediators certified by the Florida Dispute Resolution Center under standards set by the Florida Supreme Court (which just issued a proclamation recognizing our significant expertise in helping participants find durable solutions) work in the areas of county, family, circuit-civil, dependency, and appellate court cases. In most cases, the parties select the mediator of their own choice. Those individuals who are not certified but who mediate court-ordered cases are still bound by the ethical standards contained in rules established by the Supreme Court. The annual focus on our profession highlights how individuals, administrative agencies, and businesses can effectively use these methods to develop solutions to conflicts tailored to specific needs. In addition to highlighting the benefits of mediation, many organizations offer programming too. In celebration of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Centennial, they are holding Mediation Month, a national event series designed to provide advanced mediation training and strengthen connections within the dispute resolution community. The series will feature in-person CLE programs and networking receptions in five select U.S. cities. Each program will offer advanced, practical training for mediators and dispute resolution professionals, followed by a reception to foster camaraderie, professional connections, and continued engagement within the mediation community. The national theme for Mediation Month 2026 is ''The Final Mile of Mediation.'' Programs will focus on the critical final stage of the mediation process: helping parties move from progress at the table to a durable, enforceable, and well-documented resolution. Topics may include closing techniques, overcoming late-stage impasse, memorializing settlement terms, avoiding post-mediation disputes, and safeguarding settlement agreements so that 'almost done' becomes truly done. Also, the American Bar Association (ABA) Dispute Resolution Section is offering free attendance at its monthly Mediation Committee Forum to discuss "Share Mediation" which has the objective of promoting the awareness and utilization of mediation as an effective means of resolving conflicts by engaging dispute resolution practitioners nationwide in a unified, week-long public education campaign which is October 18th - 24th. Mediation Month is designed for experienced mediators, advocates, in-house counsel, and dispute resolution professionals seeking advanced training, practical tools, and meaningful connections with colleagues in the field. See more on here-- https://flcourts-media.flcourts.gov/content/download/2496312/file/Proclamation%20-%202026%20Alternative%20Dispute%20Resolution%20Week%2010.06.2026%20ADA.pdf and https://feature.adr.org/2026-AAA-Mediation-Month and https://www.americanbar.org/events-cle/mtg/virtual/464355701/