Chief Justice Charles Canady proclaims October 11-17 as Mediation Week in Florida’s courts, marking the importance of alternative dispute resolution as an effective substitute to litigation.

Alternative dispute resolution has been used by Florida courts for more than 30 years. More than 5,400 mediators are certified by the Florida Dispute Resolution Center under standards set by the Florida Supreme Court. Certifications are offered in the areas of county, family, circuit, dependency, and appellate court cases. In most cases, parties select the mediator of their own choice. However, certified mediators may be appointed by the court when litigants are unable to select their own. Certified mediators and those individuals who are not certified but who mediate court-ordered cases are bound by the ethical standards contained in rules established by the Supreme Court.

The annual focus on alternative dispute resolution highlights how individuals, administrative agencies, and businesses can effectively use the method to develop solutions to conflicts tailored to specific needs.