Part 146 Neutral Redesignation

Pursuant to Part 146 of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge, all mediators and neutral evaluators must be considered for redesignation to each court roster they serve on every two years. 

 Redesignation Process

The redesignation process involves consideration of the following factors: 

1. Whether the neutral has completed the minimum hours of continuing education during the reporting period;
2. Nature and outcome of any complaints filed against the neutral;
3. Any feedback about the neutral received from court staff or court users;
4. The degree of activity of the neutral; and
5. The current needs of the court. 

Each neutral must complete the Redesignation Request Form, noting the rosters on which they serve.

 Reporting Period

Reporting Period: This is the two-year time frame that leads up to the redesignation process. The reporting period is the same for all court roster neutrals. The reporting period begins on the first day of every odd year and ends on the last day of every even year. Example: A reporting period would begin January 1, 2027 and end December 31, 2028. Activity during that period would be considered in the redesignation process. 

Neutrals who did not serve on a roster during the entire reporting period will not be held to the 6-hour CE requirement. 

 Continuing Education (CE)

During each Reporting Period, pursuant to Part 146.3(b) of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge:

All neutrals serving on court rosters must attend at least six hours of approved training relevant to their respective practice areas every two years. Two of the six hours must consist of anti-bias training, but no more than 2 hours of anti-bias training may be applied to the 6-hour CE requirement. 

Special Requirements for Family Court and Matrimonial Mediators – All roster mediators who mediate family or matrimonial matters for the court under Part 146 of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge (22 NYCRR § 146) are required to take 2 hours of continuing education (CE) on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) every 2 years. 

For mediators who were on a family/matrimonial roster before January 1, 2023, the IPV CE requirement may be satisfied for the by taking the 4 hours of supplemental training on how to screen potential mediation cases for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV Screening Training), which is a new prerequisite for joining a family court or matrimonial roster. All 4 hours can be applied toward the 6-hour requirement.