ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR MEDIATORS

On June 6, 2008, the Pennsylvania Council of Mediators Board of Directors endorsed the "Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators" which was adopted by the American Arbitration Association, the American Bar Association, and the Association for Conflict Resolution in 2005.

In addition to the Model Standards Conduct for Mediators, Standard V - Confidentiality provisions, Pennsylvania mediators must follow the Confidential Mediation Communications and Documents Act (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 42, Section 5949), which establishes mediation confidentiality and exclusions to confidentiality.

Additional information on ethics and standards of conduct can be found online:

- The ABA now has a Committee on Mediator Ethical Guidance which issues advisory opinions on ethical issues related to the standards. The Advisory Opinions are available online. .

- There is an intake form which can be used to request an Ethics Advisory Opinion.

- On August 7, 2004, the ABA approved the "Resolution on Good Faith Requirements For Mediators And Mediation Advocates In Court-Mandated Mediation Programs".

- ACR has published "Recommended Standards for School-Based Peer Mediation Programs".