If you are considering mediation, the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) strongly recommends that you choose a mediator who:

• Has been trained specifically in mediation, to industry accepted standards
• Carries out suitable levels of professional development
• Follows an appropriate Code of Conduct
• Offers access to a complaints process if necessary

1. The CMC requires all Regulated Mediators to have a published complaints handling procedure in place. If you have a complaint about a mediator in respect of the service they have provided you must first complain to that mediator.
2. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint at that stage you may refer the matter to the CMC on one of the grounds set out below. This must be done within one month of conclusion of consideration of the complaint by the mediator and in any event within 6 months of the events giving rise to the complaint. Complaints received outside these time limits will only be accepted at the discretion of the CMC.
3. All complaints must be in writing and addressed to the CMC Secretariat at secretariat@civilmediation.org. On receipt of your e-mail the Secretariat will send you a complaint form to be completed and returned.
4. Complaints can only be considered by the CMC if they concern an individual or organisation which is a member of the CMC. The CMC regrets that it cannot consider complaints against non-members.
5. All documents relating to the complaint must be submitted with the complaints form or, if any are unavailable, you must give an indication as to when they will be supplied. In submitting a complaint you consent to all information you supply and any accompanying documents being disclosed to the other party to the complaint, to the CMC’s Complaints and Discipline Committee, the CMC Board and to other relevant third parties which may include other regulators.

6. Complaints may be made on the following grounds only:
A complaint may be made against a Regulated Mediator (i.e. CMC Associate, Registered or Fellow) on the grounds that they no longer meet the requirements for Regulation (Rule 1 (i)); and/or they are not a fit and proper person to hold Regulated status (Rule 1 (ii)).
A complaint may be made against any Member of the CMC (whether an Individual or Organisation, and whether Registered or not) on the grounds that they have brought the CMC or the mediation profession or the mediation process into disrepute (Rule 6).
7. Complaints will be dealt with in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Complaints and Discipline Committee of the CMC from time to time. A copy of the Rules is available on request from the Secretariat.
8. All communications must be made in writing, but in its absolute discretion the CMC may also accept oral representations from the parties.
9. The determination of a complaint by the CMC and any disciplinary measures imposed are final and no further appeal will be entertained.
10. The CMC will progress your complaint with due diligence and in most cases provide a final determination within 6 months of receipt of the complaint.