FAMILY MEDIATION PROGRAM
As contested child custody, visitation and removal hearing in dissolutions of marriage or paternity cases usually produce extreme rancor among the parties and contribute to further breakdown in their ability to cooperate in the best interest of their children; and
As divorcing, divorced or separated parents need to establish patterns of dealings with each other which will help their children adjust to the changes divorce or separation has made in their lives, and which will not increase the tensions the children already feel; and
As the very process of litigation of child custody, visitation and removal is contrary to the best interest of children; and
As a useful framework for assisting parties to settle their custody and visitation differences throughout mediation is provided by 750 ILCS 5/602.1(b); therefore,
IT IS ORDERED
That all dissolutions and paternity cases filed on or after April 1, 1993, involving contested hearings of custody, visitation, and removal shall be subject to mediation in accordance with the attached rules; and
At the discretion of the court all matters pending prior to April 1, 1993, involving contested issues of custody, visitation, and removal may be subject to a mediation in accordance with the attached rules.
The rules for this program are appended as an appendix to this order.
I. RULES
RULE 3. MEDIATION MANDATORY IN CERTAIN CASES
RULE 4. REFERRAL ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURE
RULE 5. QUALIFICATIONS OF MEDIATORS
RULE 7. APPLICATION OF SAFEGUARDS IN CASE OF IMPAIRMENT
RULE 9. ATTENDANCE AND TERMINATION OF MEDIATION
RULE 10. ENTRY OF JUDGMENT OR ORDER
RULE 11. CIRCUIT COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
II. APPENDICES
Y. ORDER APPOINTING MEDIATOR
Z. SCREENING PROTOCOLS FOR MEDIATORS
AA. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
BB. MEDIATOR'S REPORT
CC. STATISTICAL TERMINATION RECORD