Refer to the resources section at the end of this guide for more information. Many mediation referral services require mediators included on their rosters to have a specific amount of training and experience. There is no universal answer to this question. No particular type or amount of education or job experience has been shown to predict the quality of a mediator. Successful mediators come from many different backgrounds.
Competence depends partly on the context of the dispute and the parties' expectations.
It also depends on whether the mediator has the right mix of acquired skills, training, education, experience and natural abilities to help the parties resolve the specific dispute. Important skills and abilities include the ability to listen and understand, the ability to communicate clearly and facilitate calm and effective communication, the ability to remain neutral, and the ability to define and clarify issues. Because no easy formula can predict mediator competence, the consumer must do some research before selecting a mediator. First, understand the mediation process. After you understand the basics, you can use the steps on the following pages to select a mediator.