Overview

As the only professional, not-for-profit association for Mediators in Ireland, the MII recognises and values the contributions to mediation from people across all areas of society and different areas of mediation.

The MII has different categories of membership which follow the cycle of education and qualification of mediators. This begins with Trainee Affiliation, progressing to Membership on successful completion of training and assessment and on to Advanced Membership for experienced Mediators, There are also categories of affiliation for those with a general interest in mediation but with no wish to practice and organisations that are interested in mediation. You will find more information on the different categories of membership and affiliation on the relevant links.

Why Join?

There are many reasons for joining the MII including:

• To achieve an internationally recognised accreditation
• To access ongoing training and development
• To avail of reduced fees for MII and non-MII training events
• To network and engage with practising Mediators from different specialisms and working to different models of mediation
• To receive updates and briefings on developments in mediation
• To create opportunities for referrals as an accredited Mediator
• To engage and inform the discussion as to the changing needs of Mediators and mediation at this exciting time.
• To avail of reduced rate fees for MII conferences.

We offer leadership in a diverse mediation community

• We are a strong voice advocating the use of mediation as the preferred mechanism to resolve disputes, using media platforms to highlight benefits to users
• MII Sector champions represent the interests of members in those diverse groups
• Our annual conference helps members keep pace with a rapidly changing environment, with relevant international and domestic speakers
• We maintain a state-of-the-art website, with resources relevant for members
• We support the diverse offerings of mediation from the lawyer-mediation model through to the transformative model.

We support our members by advocating for world class mediation standards

• We have a track record of setting best practice accreditation and training standards
• We will continue to expect the highest standards from our mediators so users can be confident in the service provided by an MII mediator
• We have comprehensive Quality Assurance Policies to ensure that our work and the work of our partner associations is of the highest standard
• We have established a network of partnerships with mediators and Associations worldwide and bring new developments to our members.

The Mediators’ Institute of Ireland is a Qualifying Assessment Programme for the International Mediation Institute.

IMI Certification is available to any experienced mediator who gains a certificate from a Qualifying Assessment Program (QAP) as a result of a performance-based assessment approved by the IMI Appraisal Committee. QAP applications may be completed online. To view the form contents, download the IMI QAP Application form overview below.

A mediator becomes ‘IMI Certified’ only when their profile is completed (filled out), has a current Feedback Digest, and the payment of the annual contribution is received by IMI (or waiver is otherwise approved)Following the above steps, IMI includes the profile in the IMI ‘Find a Mediator’ database, and it becomes publicly searchable. From that moment and for as long as they retain their Certification, mediators may be searchable on the IMI website and may use the IMI Certified Mediator logo. (For criteria and guidance in relation to mediation advocate/advisor QAPs, for certifying IMI Mediation Advocates, please see here)

We are a voice for the professional development of mediation, on behalf of our members
We represent the interests of our professional members to Government
We represent the interests of all of our members in the working group discussions to form a Mediation Council

We are a voice for those working in the Community/Voluntary sector
We represent the interests of our community/voluntary members through our Sector Liasion rep. We represent the interests of our community/voluntary members to Government

We deliver membership benefits
We listen to our members. Members have clearly indicated what benefits and supports they seek from our organisation. We will strive to provide the additional supports they seek.

CPD

We promote Sharing & Learning groups nationally, as part of an annual CPD requirement. Through our website we provide access to accredited CPD courses for ongoing learning

Which Category of Membership is for me?

If you are currently training to be a mediator on an MII Accredited training course you may apply for Trainee Affiliation for the year in which you undertake your training and the following year. If you have successfully completed an MII Accredited training course and skills assessment you may apply for Membership (Training Certificates are valid for 1 year from the date of the Assessment result. If more than 1 year has elapsed between the date of the assessment result and application for membership then applicants must retake and pass the MII skills assessment in order to apply for Membership.)

Once you have met the requirements for Advanced Membership you may submit your application for assessment. If you have a general interest in mediation but are not in practice as a mediator you may apply for General Affiliation If you have completed an MII Accredited training course but, for any reason, have not completed the skills assessment as part of the course you may apply to the MII to undertake your assessment. While you are waiting for the assessment date you will need to be registered as a General Affiliate. The Organisation Affiliate category is for organisations that are interested in mediation and provides for them to be informed of developments in mediation and to avail of membership rates .

What if I have not completed an MII Accredited training course?

Equivalence of Training is only assessed by the MII where the training is completed outside of the Republic of Ireland. Where training is completed in the Republic of Ireland, with a training body which does not have its training accredited by the MII, then there is no route to membership of the MII through equivalence. This option exists for those who have trained outside the Republic of Ireland and completed their training within the last three years. You must be able to comply with the following requirements to make an application:

• Completion of at least a 60-hour training course in mediation skills and practice
• Supply certified evidence of your successful completion of the training
  Supply course curriculum of the training completed so that it can be assessed in comparison to the MII Certified Training requirements.
• Applicants must complete the application form in full – only fully completed applications with accompanying required documentation will be accepted for review. Download the Application Form below.

There is a fee of €100 for the application. It is a non-refundable fee if your application for equivalence of training is not successful. Applicants who have their training accredited as equivalent to MII requirements may then apply to complete an MII Certified Assessment. Once that assessment has been successfully completed, the applicant may apply for MII membership. Please contact the MII office if you have any queries by phone 01 609 9190 or info@themii.ie. Please note that if you proceed to sit the MII assessment there is a fee of €375 for the assessment.

How do I sign up?
Click on the Join Now  button and follow the instructions. You will need to upload documents in connection with your application. If you have any difficulties with signing up online please contact us by email info@themii.ie or to the office on 01 6099190.