The documents on this page are for mediators and individuals wishing to become involved in the mediation process. All of the documents, other than the mediation guides and readings, are intended to be used as models and should be adapted to fit the particular circumstances in which they are being used. The information provided in the documents is not intended to be used as a substitute for legal advice.

Inclusion of links to other organizations' documents does not suggest endorsement by the B.C. Mediator Roster Society.

1. Guidelines, Procedures and Tools for Screening and Assessment
2. Mediation Agreements
3. Mediation Guides and Readings
4. Model Contract Clauses and Mediation Rules of B.C. Mediator Roster Society
5. Miscellaneous

Guidelines, Procedures and Tools for Screening and Assessment

• Safety Screening in Family Mediation (PDF): Prepared by Colleen Getz, C.A. Walker & Associates, for the B.C. Mediator Roster Society (Victoria, B.C., January 2008) (A paper intended to raise awareness of screening for safety and to encourage family mediators - in particular Family Roster members - to explore current approaches and issues in screening.)



• Domestic Violence and Child Abuse/Neglect Screening for Domestic Relations Mediation: Model Screening Protocol: Office of Dispute Resolution, State Court Administrative Office, Michigan Supreme Court (January 2006). (Includes an interview schedule and detailed administration and assessment guidelines.)



• Screening Cases for Family Violence Issues to Determine Suitability for Mediation and Other Forms of ADR: Screening Protocols and Tools for Maryland Circuit Courts: Domestic Violence and Mediation Working Group, Annapolis, MD, Administrative Office of the Courts (March 2005). (Includes an in-person screening tool, notes on how and when it should be administered, and instructions for self-represented litigants.)



• Screening Cases for Suitability for Mediation: Pleadings Stage Screening Tool: Maryland Judiciary (July 2005). (A checklist of documentary and interview information solicited from parties at the pleadings stage.)



• "Family Dispute Resolution: Mediation Theory and Practice. Appendix C - Control, Abuse, and Domestic Violence Screener": Book by Alison Taylor (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2002). (Appendix C includes a checklist of information that should be solicited as part of a screening process. The book is held in the B.C. Mediator Roster Society's Library of Conflict Resolution Materials and is available to be borrowed by Roster members.)



• Tool for Attorneys to Screen for Domestic Violence: American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence, American Bar Association, (Washington, DC, 2005). (Specifically written for lawyers. Includes some examples of questions to integrate into a standard interview for new clients.)



• Women's Law Project: Appendix C - Model Mediation Screening Tool: Philidelphia (last searched October 1, 2007). (A screening questionnaire, as well as guidelines on the structure of the screening interview and administration of the questionnaire.)



• Screening for Abuse Guidelines (PDF): Family Mediation Practicum Project (New Westminster, B.C.)



• Screening for Violence Policy and Procedures (Section 2.2 of Family Justice Services Manual of Operations) (PDF): Family Justice Services Division, Justice Services Branch, Ministry of Attorney General (B.C., Revised June 2005)



• Family Law Client Screening Interview - Table 2: in article by Deb Zutter,"Mediation in the Shadow of Abuse - An Update" (Vancouver, B.C., March 2002) (Includes sample screening interview questions for use in telephone and personal interviews. The article is located in the webpage titled, "Articles & Publications")



• Family Violence and Family Mediation: Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre, Autumn 2005 Newsletter (Australia) (Includes a checklist of considerations for mediators.)



• "HITS" - A domestic violence screening tool for use in the community: Kevin Sherin (Orlando-Orange County Health Department, 2003) (Four questions that can be asked and used to create a score for assessing risk.)



• Assessing Mental Health and Addiction Issues in the context of mediation (PDF): Jane Morley, Q.C. (Victoria, B.C., November 2003)



• Woman Abuse Protocols: Family Court Services (Prince Edward Island)



• Ulysees Agreements for Families Affected by Parental Mental Illness (PDF): Excerpt from R. Lees and Sharon Von Volkingburg's Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness (B.C., November 2002)

Mediation Agreements

• Agreement to Mediate (PDF): Family Mediation Practicum Project (New Westminster, B.C.)



• Agreement to Mediate (PDF): Child Protection Mediation Program, Dispute Resolution Office, Ministry of Attorney General (B.C.)



• General Mediation and Family Mediation - Agreements to Mediate



• Sample Agreement to Mediate in "Mediation in B.C.": Dispute Resolution Office, Ministry of Attorney General (B.C.)

Mediation Guides and Readings

• On-line Readings and Resources for Mediators   NEW



• Instruction Guide for Mediators: Rule 7.3 - Notice to Mediate for Claims Between $10 000 and $25 000



• Mediation for Claims between $10,000 and $25,000



• Guide to Mediation in B.C.

Model Contract Clauses and Mediation Rules of B.C. Mediator Roster Society

• Model clause 1 (PDF): In this model clause the mediator is identified at the time that the contract is made.
  



• Model clause 2 (PDF): In this model clause the mediator is appointed when a dispute arises.
  



• Model clause 3 (PDF): In this model clause the parties agree that any issues not resolved in mediation will be determined by arbitration.
  



• Mediation rules (PDF): These mediation rules apply whenever parties have, by agreement, provided for the mediation of their disputes in accordance with these rules.

Miscellaneous

• Quiz for Clients Considering Litigation or Mediation: Patricia Lane, Victoria, B.C.



• Predictable Transaction and Litigation Costs (PDF): Patricia Lane, Victoria, B.C.