Basic Family Law and Divorce Mediation

Course Description

The training is specifically designed for Family Law and Divorce Mediators such as social workers, psychologists, attorneys, advocates and court officials.
In this course, students will be trained in basic mediations skills, family law and divorce modules. This 40 hour mediation course has a mixture of theory and practical exercises designed to help you to qualify as a mediator, create more effective outcomes and manage conflict in a wide application field.

EXPECTED OUTCOME
Participants will have good understanding of the processes for conflict management through mediation for application in the workplace.
MODULE 1 – CONFLICT
Understanding conflict
Multiple levels of conflict
Nature of Conflict
Causes/Sources of disputes and Conflicts

MODULE 2- ATTRIBUTES OF AN EFFECTIVE MEDIATOR
Attributes
Skills needed to mediate
Techniques to instil trust
5 Habits of highly effective conflict resolvers
Active Listening Skills
Communication techniques
Cultural Aspects Influencing Conflict Resolution
Attributes of an effective conflict mediator
MODULE 3 – CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Prevention
Techniques to manage conflict:
Conflict Analysis
Tools for Conflict Analysis
Develop a conflict map
Power
Levels of Intervention
Cooperative problem solving
Negotiation
Mediation
Facilitation
Arbitration
MODULE 4 – STRATEGIES TO MANAGE CONFLICT / CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Methods of Conflict Resolution
Approaches to Conflict Resolution Strategies
MODULE 5 – NEGOTIATIONS
General Principles
Negotiation Strategies
The Principles of Interest-Based Bargaining
Stakeholders in Negotiations
Communication in negotiations
Behaviour and Tactics in Negotiation
Negotiation Outcomes
Formalise and evaluate the agreement
MODULE 6-MEDIATION PROCESS
Purposes of mediation
Mediation Principles and benefits
Stages of mediation
FAMILY LAW MODULES (INCLUDES ROLE PLAYS IN EACH SESSION):
MODULE 7  – THE EFFECT OF CONFLICT ON CHILDREN
MODULE 8  -MEDIATION AND THE CHILDREN’S ACT 38 OF 2005
MODULE 9   – PARENTING PLANS
MODULE 10  – THE DIVORCE PROCESS IN SOUTH AFRICA
MODULE 11  – MARITAL REGIMES
MODULE 12   – MAINTENANCE