Request for Mediation Forms and Instructions
Mediation Packet
Legal Decision Making and Parenting Time Mediation
Under Rule 68C of the Arizona Rules of Family Court Procedure (ARFLP) and Rule 3.10, Arizona Rules of Court, Pima County, the Conciliation Court provides mediation of legal decision-making and parenting time disputes regarding minor children for parents going through a divorce, legal separation, paternity or child support action in the Superior Court; or for custody/access disputes in post-decree matters.
Mediation reflects the view of the Court that decisions regarding legal decision-making and parenting time are best made by the parents who know their children’s individual needs and circumstances. Conducted in a safe, confidential, neutral setting, a trained family mediator assists parents in the development of a parenting plan that best meets their children’s needs.
Bilingual mediators are available to Spanish speaking clients and the Court Interpreters Office provides services for other lesser known language interpretation, as needed.
Mediation is mandatory in Pima County for all family court cases wherein legal decision-making and/or parenting time matters are disputed. Therefore, the Conciliation Court has given careful attentions to developing a mediation program that addresses the specific needs of each family.
Safety Screening
Prior to the initial mediation conference, each parent is screened separately by the assigned mediator. The screening is designed to elicit information as to the appropriateness of mediation, to determine the best way to proceed with mediation and to rule out cases where safety and the balance of power cannot be assured. Mediators are trained to screen for the presence and severity of domestic violence, power imbalances, threats to children, as well as the mental, physical, and emotional competency of the parties to proceed with mediation.
Conciliation Court may take several steps to ensure that the mediation process is a safe and effective one, including (but not limited to) separate waiting rooms, separate mediation sessions, and security accompaniment to and from the FCCC office.
Waiver of Mediation
Under Rule 68C of ARFLP, parties may request a waiver of mediation via the assigned judge or request that reasonable procedures be in place at the mediation to protect a victim of domestic violence as determined by the Court or FCCC.
