WELCOME TO MEDIATION TRAINING GROUP!
Mediation Training Group (MTG) is a premier Florida Certified Mediation Training Provider. Robin Caral Shaw, Esq., is the owner and Primary Trainer.
Mediation may take place online, by phone, or in person. Mediation is described as “assisted negotiation”. People having a dispute meet with a mediator, who is both neutral and impartial, and who is there to help the people having the dispute negotiate their own resolution of the conflict. The mediator asks questions to allow each person to tell their story, to analyze each side’s concerns, to consider the source of the conflict, and to work toward a mutually agreeable resolution by working as a team to explore options satisfying each person’s priorities. The mediator helps people listen to one another to cobble together a workable mediated solution.
MTG teaches the skills to become an effective listener and assist the negotiation without expressing an opinion, giving advice, or offering solutions.
Join us and learn “mediation magic”!
HOW DO YOU BECOME A FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CERTIFIED MEDIATOR?
Click here to view a step-by-step guide on how to become a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator published by the Florida Supreme Court. The seven (7) requirements for becoming certified in any Florida mediation category (Circuit Civil, County, Family, Dependency, and Appellate mediation) are:
Applying before the end of 2024:
1. Accumulating One Hundred (100) Points: Each applicant must accumulate 100 points through completing an approved certification program (30 points), providing proof of the highest educational level achieved (10 or more points), observing mediations conducted by FL Supreme Court Certified mediators, and possibly adding additional points through specific experience or qualifications.
2. Completing a FL Supreme Court approved mediation certification training program: MTG certification programs are all approved for that purpose, and all Primary and Assistant Trainers, and Subject Matter Specialists, are approved to teach their respective areas of expertise.
3. Being at least twenty-one (21) years of age when submitting the Application.
4. Satisfying the minimal education requirement: County mediators must have at least a high school diploma or GED. All other mediators must have at least a Master’s Degree in any field. An applicant can only be certified as an Appellate Mediator after being certified as a Circuit, Family, or Dependency Mediator.
5. Providing proof of completion of the required number of observations to reach the 100 points required for course completion.
6. Completing and mailing the Application and payment of the Application fee (to the State of Florida) for Mediator certification within two (2) years after finishing training.
7. Getting fingerprinted for criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to establish an applicant’s “good moral character”.
Applying in 2025:
- Numbers 1-7 continue to apply except that only a Bachelor’s Degree is required for certification as a Circuit Civil, Family, Dependency, or Appellate mediator when combined with other accumulated points.
- Becoming a certified County mediator. A certified Circuit Civil, Family, or Dependency mediator seeking County certification may qualify if currently certified as a Circuit Civil mediator — or — currently certified as a Family or Dependency mediator AND obtaining 30 points observing or conducting mediations under the supervision of a certified County mediator during the two years prior to applying for county certification.
- Becoming a certified Circuit Civil mediator. For initial certification, an applicant must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree and 100 points which must include at least (a) 30 points for completing a training program, (b) 25 points for education – or – 20 points for education and 5 points for mediation experience – or – 20 points for education and 5 points for a graduate certificate in conflict resolution, and (c) 40 points for mentorship.
- See the Rules for Certified and Court-appointed Mediators for details on obtaining Family, Dependency, and Appellate mediation certification.
- Mentorship. Ten (10) points will be awarded for each observation and fifteen (15) points will be awarded for each co-mediation/supervised mediation for which certification is sought.
- Additional revisions to the Rules will be covered in detail during the training.
SUMMARY OF MTG COURSES OFFERED IN 2024
- County Mediation Certification. This course is open to anyone with at least a High School Diploma or equivalent and teaches essential and basic skills required to be a competent mediator. Certification qualifies you to mediate Small Claims and Landlord-Tenant cases in the courthouse, and to mediate cases where the demand is up to $50,000 whether or not a lawsuit has been filed.
- Circuit Civil Mediation Certification. This course is open to anyone with at least a master’s degree and teaches essential and basic skills required to be a competent mediator. Certification entitles you to mediate cases where the demand is $50,001 or more whether or not a lawsuit has been filed.
- CME/CLE/CEU Programs. Continuing Mediator Education, Continuing Legal Education, and Continuing Education for Mental Health programs are offered once each month for a full day, providing eight (8) hours of continuing education.
- Half-Day Programs are a new feature for MTG! We’ve been asked to provide in-depth assistance on topics of interest for four (4) CME/CLE/CEU credits. Topics include Appellate Mediation and Third-Party Funding of Litigation. At least one program will be presented each month.
- Lunch ‘n’ Learn Programs are also a new feature for MTG! These two (2) CME/CLE credit hour programs are intended to highlight topics of interest such as what every mediator should know about Medicare, how to manage aggressive participants, and the power of an apology. At least one program will be presented each month.