Operating Status
ShareMediation in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia is provided by the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division (Multi-Door). Multi-Door uses volunteer roster mediators to provide free mediation services for civil and family cases at the Superior Court. Multi-Door seeks to attract a diverse mediator panel which reflects the community it serves.
There are two tracks to becoming a mediator with Multi-Door:
- Mediators with a minimum of 40 hours of Basic Mediation Training and significant experience mediating are encouraged to apply through our Open Enrollment process. Please see the Open Enrollment section for more information.
- Multi-Door periodically hosts a 40-hour Basic Mediation Training to bring new volunteers onto a program roster. Please see the Mediation Training section for more information.
Please note that most of Multi-Door’s mediation program rosters are full and not accepting new volunteers. There is no Basic Mediation Training scheduled at this time, and qualified Open Enrollment candidates will be added to a waiting list.
The Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division uses volunteer roster mediators to provide free mediation services for civil and family cases at the DC Superior Court. Mediators with a minimum of 40 hours of Basic Mediation Training and significant experience mediating are encouraged to apply through our Open Enrollment process. Please see the Open Enrollment section for more information.
Multi-Door periodically hosts a 40-hour Basic Mediation Training to bring new volunteers onto a program roster. There is no Basic Mediation Training scheduled at this time, as Multi-Door’s mediation program rosters are full and not accepting new volunteers.
To receive information about future mediation training opportunities, please email MultiDoorTraining [at] dcsc.gov. When training is scheduled, you will be invited to apply.
Training Progression
To become a mediator through training with the Multi-Door Division, an applicant must fulfill ALL requirements listed below within the prescribed time. A candidate must:
- Apply to and be selected for training with one of the mediation programs within the Multi-Door Division (Family, Child Protection, Small Claims, Landlord/Tenant, or Civil).
- To be selected for training in the Civil, Tax, and Probate Mediation Programs, applicants must be attorneys currently admitted to the bar in any US state.
- There are no specific professional requirements to apply to train and mediate in Multi-Door's other mediation programs. A diverse range of professional backgrounds enhances Multi-Door's mediator rosters.
- Interviews may be conducted prior to selection for training. If selected, you will be invited to attend the training.
- Successfully complete mediation training.
- Within 6 months of finishing specialized training, successfully complete a mentorship specific to the applicable mediation program.
- The exact duration and schedule varies by program and by the individual progress of a prospective mediator, but will not exceed 6 months.
- Mediate 3-6 cases, as specified by the applicable program, without a stipend payment.
- After fulfilling the obligation to mediate without a stipend, successfully complete a 1-year probation period during which stipends will be provided.
- Mediators are expected to participate regularly throughout the probation year. Participation requirements vary by program and will be outlined in the training solicitation announcement.
- Candidates must complete the entire training progression, including a one-year probation period, before being eligible to apply for training in another Multi-Door program.
Open enrollment is an application process for mediators who have previously completed a basic mediation training of at least 40 hours and have significant experience mediating cases relevant to the court. Specific requirements and the application materials are below. Applicants must specify a program of interest. Please note that supplemental application materials are required in the Child Protection and Family Mediation Programs.
Please note that most program rosters are full and not accepting new mediators at this time. Open Enrollment applicants who meet the requirements to volunteer will be placed on a waiting list for their program(s) of interest, to be considered by program staff once opportunities arise.
| Open Enrollment Process and Qualifications | Download |
| Open Enrollment Application | START HERE |
| Family Supplemental | START HERE |
| Child Protection Supplemental | START HERE |
