General Civil Mediation Training is an entry-level course that focuses on the fundamentals of facilitative mediation. Content and role-plays will prepare you to mediate court order civil cases as well as volunteer with our Center. Participants will learn about conflict, the history of ADR processes, and the role of mediation in supporting the community. In addition to this, you will hear from experienced mediators, team members, attorneys, and volunteers regarding best practices.
Training Information
Completing our General Civil Mediation Training and practicum is the first step in registering with the GODR as a mediator. Registration is also required to attend additional GODR-approved training and mediate court-ordered cases.
Recommended Reading: The Mediator’s Handbook by Beer et al.
Lead Trainer: Lee Robbins
Dates: (1) March 3-6, 2026 (virtual) (2) June 9 -12, 2026 (virtual) (3) October 20-23, 2026 (in-person)
Start/Stop Times: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm ET
Duration: 28 hours | 4 days | Homework
Class Limit: 18
Location: Virtual
Volunteer Cost: $250.00*
Private Mediator Cost: $1,250.00
Questions? Email Lee at lrobbins@mediationsavannah.com
*To qualify for the volunteer mediator cost, participants agree to only volunteer and mediate with our Center. Before being placed on the roster, participants must sign a Volunteer Agreement/Non-disclosure Agreement which upholds confidentiality of information learned from the Center, an agreement to mediate six (6) cases per year as a volunteer, and a commitment to exclusively volunteer – to not mediate privately and charge fees for mediations outside of the Center. In other words, you must agree not to compete with our Center. The training fee for volunteers will be used to hold your spot for the training and pay the GODR registration fee once you complete the training and practicum requirements. See below regarding refunds.
Practicum Requirement
Participants have eighteen months to complete the practicum requirements and register with the GODR. ADR Rules require a 10-hour practicum by observing/co-facilitating five or more court-ordered mediations. Uniquely, our Center provides the practicum free for those who complete our General Civil Mediation Training.
Refund Policy
The Mediation Center is unable to provide a refund and reserves the right to refuse a refund for failure to attend training on the indicated registration date. Participants have the option of attending a future training or recategorizing the payment for training as a donation to the Center’s community youth education programs.
Application
Disclaimer
Our Center and lead trainer, Lee Robbins, has the approval to provide this training. Approval by the GODR does not imply that any particular court program must accept those who complete our training on their roster. Additionally, completion of any state-approved program does not automatically qualify one as a neutral in any particular program. Local court programs have the authority to exercise discretion regarding applicant qualifications and thus may inquire into the training and experience of a neutral.
Jump here for more information regarding requirements for neutrals and trainers
