The Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution does not forward your registration application to the individual court ADR programs. To serve as a neutral in one of these programs you must contact the local program and apply directly to the local program. To be registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution there is no requirement that a neutral be an attorney or have any other specific professional background. However, domestic relations mediators must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. For registration requirements of neutrals, see Appendix B to the Georgia Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules.
Registration is current for up to two years.
For example, if you register during 1999, you will need to renew your registration in December 2000. Rates of compensation for neutrals vary in order to meet the demands and circumstances of the local courts. All compensated neutrals are encouraged to contribute some pro bono hours to their program, and every court program in which neutrals are compensated by the parties must provide ADR services free of charge to indigent parties. If you have completed or are considering a course which is not on the approved list, you must submit the course outline to the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution for individual approval. While each court program is different, some programs will allow you to observe a scheduled mediation in order for you to obtain your needed observations.