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/

It's Mediation er, um rather ADR Week!

Each October, we celebrate Mediation Week which has officially changed to Alternative Dispute Resolution or "ADR Week" in recognition of the importance of all forms of dispute resolution utilized in Florida. Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, Carlos G. Muñiz, recognized October 13-19th as ADR Week in Florida’s courts, and the members of Florida’s Dispute Resolution Center and The Florida Bar ADR Section are excited to take this time to celebrate Florida’s leadership over the past 35 years in successfully utilizing ADR practices. Of course, these practices include mediation, arbitration, parenting coordination, eldercaring coordination, and other restorative and evaluative processes that encourage joint problem solving and effective resolution of disputes outside of the courtroom. All forms of ADR strive to assist parties to resolve their own disputes through self-determination, without the need for a trial. ADR is quite effective and efficient for the attorneys and litigants involved, and it also conserves resources in Florida’s trial and appellate courts. Florida’s skilled ADR practitioners empower individuals, families, schools, and businesses to foster communication, create solutions, and develop lasting solutions to difficult issues. Locally, the ADR Section is celebrating by having a mixer on 10/22 from 5:30-7:30 PM at Eola Wine Company, 430 E. Central Blvd., Orlando. Please RSVP to alicia@rtmediation.com See more here-- https://tinyurl.com/28pmjrpu and here-- https://tinyurl.com/yxv72eky

Mediation Week 2022

Every October, we celebrate the impact of the mediation process and its professionals on the many disputes in the world. Mediation Week in Florida and elsewhere marks the importance of dispute resolution as an effective substitute to litigation. In fact, mediation has helped litigants get through our recent challenges, evolving to widely accepted remote attendance allowing parties to resolve disputes without trial in a still backed-up court system. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has been used by Florida courts for more than 30 years. Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) will now serve as an official option following the pandemic through sessions conducted with readily available technology. Florida's Dispute Resolution Center continues to require specific standards set by the Florida Supreme Court in the areas of county, family, circuit, dependency, and appellate mediation during these virtual sessions. Mediation week brings annual focus on ADR work and highlights how individuals, administrative agencies, and businesses can use mediation to develop efficient and customized solutions to conflicts. Just by searching #mediationweek online, you may find a variety of resources from venerable organizations like the American Bar Association (ABA) or the Federal Mediation and Concilliation Service (FMCS) which is celebrating its 75th anniversary with free programs on cutting-edge topics, practices, and examinations on conflict prevention, management, and resolution this week. See more here-- https://fmcs.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_b03eGSkmQ_uK2CiCk0U1vQ

Mediation Week 2013

This week has been proclaimed by Governor Scott as Mediation Week in The State of Florida. In his proclamation, the governor stated, “Court programs use mediation to effectively and efficiently resolve disputes.” For the past couple of decades, Florida has led the field of alternative dispute resolution which has grown in acceptance, especially as litigation becomes more costly and lengthy with electronic discovery. There is certainly wide recognition that the majority of cases are resolved outside of the traditional adversarial process. Litigants, their attorneys and the judges they appear before routinely embrace multiple paths to settling lawsuits out of court, including mediation. Many jurisdictions are celebrating this week in conjunction with the American Bar Association's Mediation Week. This ABA initiative is cognizant of efforts in institutionalizing mediation as one of several appropriate dispute resolution processes, and one particularly utilizing self-determination of the parties. The American Bar Association puts out a toolkit of useful ADR materials you can find here-- http://www.americanbar.org/groups/dispute_resolution/resources/mediation_week_toolkit.html

Conflict Resolution Day during Mediation Week

Today is Conflict Resolution Day which promotes awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation and other creative, peaceful means of resolving conflict in businesses, communities, governments and the legal system. Likewise, it is Mediation Week and October has become a time to promote and celebrate peaceful conflict resolution practices worldwide. Dedicated dispute resolution practitioners are helping to educate the public about mediation and other innovative conflict management processes. The American Bar Association's "ABA Mediation Week” is held every year in conjunction with many other national, state, and local organizations, including the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). The State of Florida has also issued a proclamation in recognition of promoting mediation as an alternative to litigation while observing Mediation Week in the Sunshine State. The ABA has wonderful ADR links in its Mediation in the Mainstream themed toolkit found here: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/dispute_resolution/resources/mediation_week_toolkit.html The ACR has a dedicated page with great information here: http://www.acrnet.org/crday/