<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 25-4-58 - Adoption of court rules establishing minimum qualifications of mediator. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2049864Normal { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2049864SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049864CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2049864Normal-000000 { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2049864DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049864000001 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049864SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049864SCL-000002 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2049864Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=25-4-58"><span class="s2049864SENU">25-4-58</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049864SENU">. </span><span class="s2049864CL">Adoption of court rules establishing minimum qualifications of mediator.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049864Normal-000000"><span class="s2049864DefaultParagraphFont">The Supreme Court shall adopt rules establishing the minimum qualifications of a mediator. To be included on a list of qualified mediators approved by the court, a person must possess the minimum qualifications.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049864Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049864000001"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049864Normal"><span class="s2049864SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049864SCL-000002"> SL 1996, ch 163, § 2.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 25-4-58 - Adoption of court rules establishing minimum qualifications of mediator. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2049865Normal { text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2049865SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049865CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2049865Normal-000000 { text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2049865DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2049865Normal-000001 { margin-left: 0.70in; text-indent: -0.45in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } p.s2049865Normal-000002 { margin-left: 1.14in; text-indent: -0.44in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2049865000003 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2049865Normal-000004 { text-align: center; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } p.s2049865Normal-000005 { text-indent: 0.25in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2049865SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049865SCL-000006 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=25-4-58.1"><span class="s2049865SENU">25-4-58.1</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049865SENU">. </span><span class="s2049865CL">Minimum qualifications for family court mediators.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000000"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">To be eligible as a court appointed family court mediator under § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=25-4-56"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">25-4-56</span></a><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">, a mediator must have the following minimum qualifications:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000001"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">(1)    A mediator must file an approved application on the prescribed form with the presiding judge for the circuit or circuits in which the mediator will conduct mediations. See prescribed form attached as Exhibit A.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000001"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">(2)    A mediator must have both a minimum of forty (40) hours mediation training, plus experience in actual mediation sessions by consulting with a mediator approved under this rule for at least three mediation sessions. In place of forty (40) hours' training and consultation, a person may, with court approval, qualify as a mediator if that person has had five years' experience in mediating custody and visitation issues with a minimum of twenty (20) mediations during that period. A mediator must have competence in the following areas:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000002"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">(a)    General knowledge of the South Dakota court system and its procedures in contested family matters;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000002"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">(b)    General knowledge of South Dakota family law, especially as applied to custody and visitation issues;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000002"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">(c)    Knowledge of child development and specifically the impact of divorce or separation on family members;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000002"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">(d)    Knowledge of resources available in the state to which the parties and the children can be referred for assistance;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000002"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">(e)    Knowledge of interviewing and mediation techniques applicable to the family setting.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000001"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">(3)    A mediator must be committed to and participate in continuing education courses.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049865000003"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">EXHIBIT A</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000004"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">MEDIATOR APPLICATION FORM</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000004"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF SOUTH DAKOTA</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000004"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">____________________________ CIRCUIT COURT</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">Name: ___________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">Address: _________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">______________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">Day time Phone: ________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">Instructions: Please complete the following questionnaire as specified under each section. If additional space is needed, attach a sheet for each area making sure to indicate the section of the questionnaire to which you are responding. This form must be filed with the Presiding Judge for each circuit in which you intend to participate in court appointed mediation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">1) Provide your professional background including degree(s), certificate(s), practice specialization(s), years of experience and special training:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">2) Provide a full and complete disclosure of all professional employment experiences whether in the field of mediation or in any other field:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049865000003"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">3) Provide complete information regarding any training, seminars, workshops, etc., you deem pertinent to mediation:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">4) Provide the number of mediations in which you have been involved giving approximate dates of those mediations if available. Please indicate how many of the mediations were successful.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">5) Describe methods of mediation you have used and time required to conduct a typical mediation:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">6) Please describe how fees and costs are calculated for completion of a typical mediation:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">7) Please describe the requirements for payment of fees:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal-000005"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">I am aware of and agree to abide by the principles and guidelines set out in the Interim Standards for Mediators as promulgated by the Supreme Court of South Dakota.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">Signature</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049865000003"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">Date</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">NOTE: This form must be updated as changes to the information occur or at least annually.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">Approved:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">________________________________________________________</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865DefaultParagraphFont">Presiding Circuit Judge</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049865000003"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049865Normal"><span class="s2049865SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049865SCL-000006"> Supreme Court Rule 96-7; Supreme Court Rule 97-41; SL 2012, ch 262 (Supreme Court Rule 12-08), eff. July 1, 2012.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 25-4-58 - Adoption of court rules establishing minimum qualifications of mediator. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2049866Normal { text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2049866SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049866CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2049866Normal-000000 { text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2049866DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2049866Normal-000001 { margin-left: 0.70in; text-indent: -0.45in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2049866DefaultParagraphFont-000002 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049866000003 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049866SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049866SCL-000004 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } body { text-decoration-skip-ink: none; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2049866Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=25-4-58.2"><span class="s2049866SENU">25-4-58.2</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049866SENU">. </span><span class="s2049866CL">Conduct of Family Court Mediators.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049866Normal-000000"><span class="s2049866DefaultParagraphFont">Mediators are expected to conduct themselves by the highest ethical standards. Mediators should conduct themselves and mediations according to the following general principles:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049866Normal-000001"><span class="s2049866DefaultParagraphFont">(1)    A mediator should recognize that mediation is based on participation and self</span><span class="s2049866DefaultParagraphFont-000002">-</span><span class="s2049866DefaultParagraphFont">determination by the parties. A mediator shall conduct the mediation process fairly, diligently, impartially and in a manner consistent with assisting the parties in reaching a voluntary, uncoerced agreement on the issues outstanding between them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049866Normal-000001"><span class="s2049866DefaultParagraphFont">(2)    A mediator shall fully disclose to all parties involved in the mediation any actual or potential conflicts of interest. A mediator shall not accept or shall withdraw from any mediation in which the mediator has reason to believe he or she cannot conduct the mediation in an impartial manner. After full disclosure of an actual or potential conflict of interest to the parties, the mediator shall withdraw from the mediation if requested by any party to do so.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049866Normal-000001"><span class="s2049866DefaultParagraphFont">(3)    A mediator should maintain confidentiality at all times except as provided by law or court order. A mediator may otherwise disclose information regarding the mediation only with the expressed consent of the parties.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049866Normal-000001"><span class="s2049866DefaultParagraphFont">(4)    A mediator shall fully disclose to the parties and explain the basis of compensation, fees, and other charges to the parties. This disclosure should occur at the first meeting of the mediator and the parties.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049866Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049866000003"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049866Normal"><span class="s2049866SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049866SCL-000004"> Supreme Court Rule 96-7; Supreme Court Rule 97-42.</span></p></div></body></html>