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Mediation and ADR

Domestic violence screening in mediation

Also called domestic violence and mediation

The safeguards courts and mediators use when there has been domestic violence between the parties, from screening questions before mediation to safety measures, or not mediating at all.[1][2]

In more detail

In Florida, if a party asks, a court may not send a case to mediation when it finds past domestic violence would compromise the process.[1] In Texas, a party's written objection based on family violence blocks referral of a divorce to mediation unless, after a hearing, the court finds the objection isn't supported; if mediation is then ordered, the court must order safety measures.[2] Maryland's courts point to a rule barring court-ordered mediation when a party raises, in good faith, a real issue of abuse.[3] Virginia's standards call for separate screening interviews in family cases.[4]

Varies by state

Screening practices and the rules on when mediation can be ordered differ by state and court. Find your state’s rules.

Related terms

  • Domestic violenceAbuse by a family or household member.
  • Family mediationMediation of family matters such as divorce, property division, parental responsibility, child support, custody and visitation, for married and unmarried people, before and after a judgment.
  • Court-ordered mediationMediation a judge sends a pending case to, on the court's own motion or at a party's request.
  • Restraining orderA court order that can require a person to stay away from and not contact someone, and sometimes to move out or stay away from children or other family members.

Read next on MediationList

Sources

The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.

  1. Fla. Stat. § 44.102 (Court-ordered mediation)leg.state.fl.uschecked ↩
  2. Tex. Fam. Code ch. 6 (Suit for dissolution of marriage)tcss.legis.texas.govchecked ↩
  3. Mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR)mdcourts.govchecked ↩
  4. Standards of Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Certified Mediators (eff. July 1, 2011)vacourts.govchecked ↩

General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.

Cite this page

Page updated

MediationList. (2026, October 28). Domestic violence screening in mediation: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/domestic-violence-and-mediation/

APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.