Free Mediation Training Offered for Court Volunteers in Casa Grande and Tucson

(Phoenix, Ariz. - Oct. 4, 2010) The Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General's Office, in partnership with the Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Court, is offering a free, 40-hour mediation course to train volunteers to help resolve local court disputes.

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

Mediators are neutral parties who try to 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.

This training course is open to the public. Those who successfully complete the course may apply to the justice courts to mediate cases on a volunteer basis. The justice courts have their own requirements and application procedures to become a volunteer mediator. Please note the justice courts require volunteers to successfully complete an application process, which includes fingerprint/background checks, to be accepted as a volunteer. Disputes to be mediated can include small claims, commercial, truancy and other types of cases, depending on the court program.

The 40-hour mediation training will be offered on the following dates and locations:

  • Casa Grande - November 17, 18, 19, 22 & 23, 2010
    Location: Casa Grande Justice Court,
    820 E. Cottonwood Lane,
    Bldg. B,
    Casa Grande, Arizona.
     
  • Tucson - December 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7, 2010
    Location: State Building,
    400 W. Congress North Bldg.,
    Suite 222,
    Tucson, Arizona.

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 the scheduled training to become eligible to mediate for the courts.

Advance registration is required and space is limited. For more information on the training or to register for this training session, please contact Adam Glaser, Conflict Resolution Program Coordinator, Arizona Attorney General's Office, Civil Rights Division, Tucson, Ariz. He can be reached by phone at (520) 628-6782 or by e-mail at [email protected].