Training and Practice

Basic Training
HMP offers Basic Training twice during the academic year – once in the fall and again in February. Each Basic Training offers new trainees 32 hours of mediation skills augmented by mediation theory and plenty of hands-on experience through role-plays. HMP’s Basic Training meets the requirements of Massachusetts law which allows mediators to practice in Massachusetts’ courts with the protection of confidentiality.  (See Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 23C.)

Advanced Training
Experienced mediators can receive additional “advanced” training in such areas as landlord-tenant (i.e., eviction) and parent-child mediation.  Advanced mediation training is typically offered each year.  HMP partners with Metropolitan Mediation Services (MMS), a community mediation program based in Brookline, Massachusetts to both coordinate parent-child mediation training and the cases that follow.

Practice
Upon completion of basic training, trainees are required to complete a two semester commitment with HMP to mediate in a “designated” court every other week or to mediate in HMP's tenant-to-tenant program.  In both small claims court and in HMP's tenant-to-tenant program, trainees mediate under the supervision of experienced HMP members, known as HMP’s “liaisons.”  HMP mediators mediate small claims cases in five District Courts in the Greater Boston area - Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden and Quincy and in the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court: HMP mediates tenant-to-tenant cases at a variety of local housing authorities.

Small claims cases are mediated on the trial date and, if the parties are willing to try mediation, they are assigned two mediators to work with them. If an agreement is reached in mediation, the agreement is written, filed with the court and carries “the weight of the court.” If an agreement is not reached the case will return to court and be heard by the magistrate on the same day.  HMP's tenant-to-tenant cases are mediated at  the housing authority referring the case at a time that is convenient to both the disputing tenants and the mediators. 

In addition to HMP's work in the courts and housing authorities, HMP takes referrals for mediation from other agencies and individuals.  Referrals include landlord-tenant, parent-child, neighborhood and other community related disputes or even minor criminal matters.