Free Mediation Training for Court Volunteers in Tucson and Casa Grande

(Phoenix, Ariz. - March 24, 2010) The Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General's Office, in partnership with the Arizona Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of the Court, is offering a free, 40-hour mediation course to train volunteers in Tucson and Casa Grande to help resolve local court disputes.

The mediation training will be offered at the following times and places:

  • Casa Grande, Pinal County:
    May 11, 12, 13, 17 and 18
    (training to be held at the Casa Grande Justice Court at 820 E. Cottonwood Lane, Casa Grande.)
  • Tucson, Pima County:
    May 25, 26, 27, June 1 and 2
    (training to be held at Arizona State Bldg., 400 W. Congress North Bldg, Room 222, Tucson.)  

Mediators are neutral parties who help disputing parties reach agreements in various types of cases. Mediation is a valuable alternative to litigation; it can save time and money and reduce stress. 

These training courses are open to the public. In exchange for the free training, those who successfully complete the course must agree to mediate a certain number of disputes for the court on a volunteer basis. Each court has its own requirements and application procedures to become a volunteer mediator. Disputes to be mediated can include small claims, commercial, truancy and other types of cases, depending on the court program. 

The Attorney General's Office has been training mediators for the courts since 1984 and has its own volunteer mediation program for resolving civil rights cases. 

Training sessions will run each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and include a working lunch. Participants must complete all five days of a scheduled training to become eligible to mediate for the courts. Please note that most courts require volunteers to successfully complete an application process, which includes background checks, to be accepted as a volunteer. Space is limited and advance registration is required. 

For more information or to register for the training, please contact Adam Glaser, Conflict Resolution Program Coordinator, Arizona Attorney General's Office, Civil Rights Division. Adam can be reached by phone at (520) 628-6782 or by e-mail at [email protected].