New Hampshire Updates

No state requirements for the practice of mediation. The New Hampshire Marital Mediator Certification Board maintains a list of Certified Marital Mediators. Qualifications for certification are:

60 hours of approved training including 8 hours of domestic violence issues and 15 hours of direct role- playing
internship of 60 hours involving 6 different marital mediation cases with a certified marital mediator, including 54 hours in co-mediation with a Certified Marital Mediator
3 letters of recommendation from persons who have participated with the applicant in marital mediation work. Recertification is required every three years. Parties are encouraged but not required to choose a Certified Marital Mediator.

The Superior Court maintains the Rule 170 Mediators Directory. Rule 170 states that all writs of summons and transfer of actions from the District Court, with the exception of cases submitted by the parties to private mediation, shall be assigned to ADR. Court referrals are made from the directory. However, parties may choose mediators not in the directory. Qualifications for the Rule 170 Mediators Directory are:

attorney approved by the court
20 hours of court-sponsored training in civil mediation
adhere to Guidelines for Rule 170 Mediators. Qualifications for practicing in the probate courts are:
- 5 years experience as a mediator
- 40 hours of training; and 3) ability to travel regionally. Knowledge of the probate court is desired. Sources: Peter Wolfe, Chair of Superior Court ADR Committee, ADR Coordinator; http://www.state.nh.us/marital/