For Immediate Release

(Baltimore, MD—April 15, 2002)  The Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) will hold a public forum on April 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Scarborough Student Leadership Center, 1204 Camden Avenue, in Salisbury to discuss critical issues in the field of mediation.  Mediators throughout the Eastern Shore, as well as judges, lawyers and anyone else interested in mediation, are encouraged to attend and be a part of an emerging collaborative dialogue on plans to ensure high quality mediation services statewide.

In recent years, MACRO has supported dramatic increases in the use of mediation across the state and is now attracting national attention as the first state setting out to build a broad consensus on critical quality assurance issues. As Hon. Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals and creator of MACRO explained, “there are a wide range of possibilities under consideration—from expanded training requirements to continuing in-service opportunities, mentoring, certification and complaint procedures—and we need to hear from as many people as possible on what options might work best in each region of the state.”

“Although led by MACRO and supported by the judiciary, the community’s role is central to this process,” Chief Judge Bell added. “These forums offer an early opportunity for anyone interested in playing an important role in shaping the future of mediation in Maryland.”

Mediation is a process in which a neutral third-party intervenes in a dispute, helping both sides to communicate with each other and, if possible, reaches an agreement that satisfies everyone’s needs.  In Maryland, mediation is widely used to resolve child custody disputes and divorce cases.  The process is also becoming increasingly popular for resolving conflict at the neighborhood level, as well as in schools, businesses, government agencies and other areas.

The Salisbury forum will be the first of four regional sessions across the state.  Others will be held in Southern Maryland (May 1), Western Maryland (May 15), and Central Maryland (May 29), all part of an initial information-gathering phase of the project. MACRO and mediators on its oversight committee will present a just-released study of best practices nationally and will lead discussion groups on quality assurance possibilities in Maryland.

All forums are open to the public, but advanced registration is encouraged because space is limited and a light supper will be served.  For more information, or to register for any session, please call MACRO at 410-321-2398.

Media are invited to attend.  For more information, please call Rachel Wohl at 410/321-2398.