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Alternative Dispute Resolution
(ADR)

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General Information

  1. What is Mediation?

  2. History of ADR, Supreme Court Rule 31 and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission (ADRC)

  3. Supreme Court Court Rule 31
    Establishes the policies and procedures for court based ADR

  4. Commission Members of the ADRC

  5. ADRC Policies

  6. Submit Rule 31 Report to the AOC

Finding a Mediator

For a List of Rule 31 General Civil and/or Family Mediators:

1. Select the Type of Mediator applicable to your case.

Civil

(for mediators who serve all Tennessee counties)

NOTE: If there are no mediators serving your county and/or you wish to view lists of mediators serving other counties in your area, choose a neighboring county or the statewide option:

3. Then click on Display List to view the listings.

     

Select This Link For a List of:   Family Mediators Specially Trained in Domestic Violence

How to Become Listed as a Supreme Court Rule 31 Mediator

1. Qualifications for Rule 31 Mediator Applicants

Before applying for Listing as Rule 31 Mediator, applicants are required, pursuant to Rule 31, Section 17 , to meet certain qualifications in Education, Work Experience, and Training.

2. Training

Click on the following Links to find Lists of Trainers who provide ADRC approved Mediation training for Rule 31 Mediator Applicants
(Contact the Trainers directly for Course Information)

  1. 40-hour Civil Course
    (for General Civil Listing)

  2. 46-hour and/or 40-hour Family Course
    (for Family Listing)
    Applicants may choose either:
    a. the 46-hour Family Course, or

    b.     the 40 hour Family Course (must obtain additional 6 hours of Tennessee Family Law Education)

  3. 16-hour Family to Civil Cross-Over Course
    (for General Civil Listing, after completion of the full 46-hour Family Course)

  4. 30-hour and/or 24-hour Civil to Family Cross-Over Course
    (for Family Listing after completion of the 40 hour Civil Course).
    Applicants may choose either:
    a. The 30-hour Civil to Family Cross-Over Course, or

    b.     The 24-hour Civil to Family Cross-Over Course (must obtain additional 6 hours of Tennessee Family Law Education)

  5. 12-hour Domestic Violence Course
    (for designation as "Specially Trained in Domestic Violence" ; for Family Listed Mediators only.)
3. Application to be Listed as a Rule 31 Mediator by the ADRC

Application Form for Rule 31 Mediator Listing

  1. Complete form and mail with $100.00 application fee to the ADR Commission (Address is on application, page 6.)

  2. Deadlines for ADRC to Receive Applications for Review:

    * Deadline: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - for Review at ADRC Meeting on January 27, 2009

    * Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2009 - for Review at ADRC Meeting on April 28, 2009

    * Deadline: Friday, June 19, 2009 - for Review at ADRC Meeting on July 28, 2009

    * Deadline: Friday, September 25, 2009 - for Review at ADRC Meeting on October 27, 2009

Renewal and Continuing Education Information
for Rule 31 Listed Mediators

  1. Renewal Information (PDF)

  2. Renewal Form (2008) (PDF)
    (Must submit Annually)

  3. Click on the following Web Sites to Search for Courses providing Continuing education Hours on Mediation, Ethics, Family Law, etc. (Contact Providers directly for Information) :
  4. CME Provider Accreditation Request Information and Form (MS Word)

  5. Courses Approved for Rule 31 Continuing Mediation Education (CME)

Applications for Trainer Curriculum Approval
(Rule 31 Mediator Initial Listing)

  1. 40-hour Civil Curriculum

  2. 46 and/or 40-hour Family Curriculum

  3. 16-hour Family to Civil Cross-over Curriculum

  4. 30 and/or 24-hour Civil to Family Cross-over Curriculum

  5. 12-hour Domestic Violence Curriculum

Mediator Resources

Rule 37 : Creates pilot projects in each of the grand divisions for mediating cases appealed to the Supreme Court Special Workers' Compensation Panel

Rule 37 Mediator Report Forms
These forms are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format

  1. Tennessee Supreme Court at Knoxville
  2. Tennessee Supreme Court at Nashville
  3. Tennessee Supreme Court at Jackson


Rule 38: Divorcing Parent Education and Mediation Fund Establishes guidelines for use of existing monies in the fund that was set up under the new parenting plan law.

Attorney General Opinion
No. 06-079, Mediation and the Unauthorized Practice of Law

Judicial Ethics Committee Advisory Opinion:
99-6 , relating to a General Sessions Court Judge acting as a Rule 31 mediator


Board of Professional Responsibility Formal Ethical Opinions:
93-F-130 , relating to a domestic relations mediation program conducted by a local bar association

93-F-131 , relating to whether a licensed attorney engaged in the regular practice of law and also serving as a mediator may indicate both activities together on letterhead, office sign, professional card, or publication

98-F-142 , relating to the use of the phrases "Approved Rule 31 Mediator" or "Tennessee Supreme Court Approved Mediator"

98-F-143(a) , relating to confidentiality between a client and an attorney where the attorney has been hired by an insurance company.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission Formal Grievance Decisions:
2006

Links to Mediator Resources and Related Web Sites

ADRC Publications

Rule 31 Evaluation Report

Appellate Mediation Task Force Reports
(PDF files)

ADR Newsletter

ADR Contacts

Anne Louise Wirthlin, Programs Manager
(615) 741-2687
E-Mail: Anne.Louise.Wirthlin@tncourts.gov

Margaret Lamons, Programs Assistant
(615) 741-2687
E-mail: Margaret.Lamons@tncourts.gov