On Feb. 17, 2000, the New Jersey Supreme Court announced the publication of Standards of Conduct for Mediators in Court-Connected Programs. These standards were recommended by the Supreme Court Committee on Complementary Dispute Resolution (CDR), which is responsible for the court rules in court-sponsored mediation in accordance with Court Rule 1:40-1.

On that same date, the court announced the creation of the Advisory Committee on Mediator Standards. Its purpose is to assist mediators who seek advice relating to the standards and to monitor complaints against mediators involved in court-sponsored mediations. This charge includes mediations in the Law Division, Civil Part and Special Civil Part, General Equity, Family Part and Municipal Courts.

I have had the honor of serving as chair of the Advisory Committee on Mediator Standards for more than 10 years and as chair of the CDR Committee. To ensure the highest quality standards in the court-sponsored mediator process, I offer this article to promote awareness and deeper understanding of the complaint process.