It gives parents the opportunity to establish their own standards of fairness, to express to each other their concerns about the present and the future, and to fashion their own agreements. The mediator who works with the parties is a court employee trained in mediation and conciliation techniques. Additional training is available through ongoing seminars and workshops. Cases are scheduled before a panel of two volunteer attorneys who hear arguments, review evidence, and then make a recommendation. The recommendation is based on the panel's determination as to what is a fair settlement.
Parties are free to accept, consider, modify or reject the panels recommendation.
Volunteer attorneys must have at least five years experience in the practice of matrimonial law, and must be a member of the New Jersey Bar for at least four years. The Domestic Violence Hearing Officer Program is a Statewide program which enables litigants to request a Temporary Restraining Order and appear before a Hearing Officer, who will review the application for protection. The Domestic Violence Hearing Officer is a specially trained professional who works for the Court. The Hearing Officer will be guided by the same laws about domestic violence as the judge and will follow the same procedures and guidelines as a Judge. The Hearing Officer will make recommendations regarding emergent support, interim custody, who stays in the residence, and other temporary reliefs, pending a final hearing.