ORIENTATION TO MEDIATION IN PORTLAND, OREGON

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.174-1617.1994.tb00322.x
• Author: Hugh McIsaac
• Date: 01 January 1994
• Published date: 01 January 1994

ORIENTATION TO MEDIATION

IN

PORTLAND, OREGON

Hugh McIsaac

This article describes

an

orientation to mediation used in the Mulrnomah County Circuit Court

in Portland, Oregon. The role

of

the judiciary makes this

program

unique,

and

the orientation

has

increased the nwnber

of

agreements reached. This orientation helpsparents

make

decisions

about mediation and use the process

more

effectively.

This article describes the orientation employed by the Multnomah County

Circuit Court, Family Services located in Portland, Oregon. The orientation

takes place every Wednesday morning from

9

a.m. until

10

a.m. as

an

introduction to the mediation process

(see

appendix for script

of

introductory

comments). The mediation occurs following the Orientation.

JUDICIAL

MESSAGE

A

family law judge greets the audience, usually anywhere from

15

to

30

couples. The judge describes the value of mediation and emphasizes the

parents’ need to work out their own solutions. This time is usually the first

and only time parents see a judicial officer.

So

this contact is very helpful

and underscores

the

importance

of

the mediation process. The judge de-

scribes the law and how he or she would approach a custody dispute. But,

again, the message is “Try to work this out on your own.” The live presenta-

tion by one

of

the judicial officers is one of the real strengths of this

orientation. It tells

the

families mediation is serious and gives the parents a

powerful message about how they should resolve future conflict.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

The next topic is child development and divorce. This segment stresses

the individuality of each child, family, and the need to construct a parenting

plan for the child, family, and stage of development. Parents of young infants

are

made aware of the child’s need for plans, structure, and consideration of

FAMILY

AND

CONCILIATION COURTS

REVlEW,

VOI.

32

NO.

1,

JZUIU~IY

1994

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Q

1994

Sage

Publications,

Inc.

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