Continuing Professional Development

About Continuing Professional Development

The following requirements for Certified and Advanced Membership are the minimum but it is anticipated that most Mediators will exceed the requirements. The requirements are grouped into three different elements to reflect different areas of practice development. In line with best practice, the requirements for each element stand alone.

Overall Requirement:
MII CPD requirements are on a one-year cycle for all practising MII Mediators made up across three areas as outlined below.

In addition MII Code of Ethics and Practice training must be undertaken by all MII members once every three years. Click for details for upcoming courses

Practice: 15 points (3 cases at 5 points per case*)

Live cases or equivalent MII role plays. *In the Family Sector this will require a mix of “comprehensive” cases and specific issue cases (e.g. parenting). Comprehensive means a case that deals with issues around the family home, e.g. parenting plan, maintenance, division of assets, etc.

Case Consultation: 8 points: Reflective Practice/Supervision; Reflective Practice and Learning

Active (ie. Case consultation/Reflective Practice/Supervision/Reflective Practice and Learning related to actual cases, and/or case presentation of own case) =10 points (1 point per hour) (2 points per hour if you present at a Reflective Practice and Learning meeting b. Peer Learning – books/articles/videos = 5 points (1 point per hour)

Training/Education: 8 points

Presentation of lecture/workshop: 2 points per hour
Presentation of paper at MII Annual Conference: 3 points
Attendance at relevant lectures/conferences/workshops/seminars: 1 point per hour.

Notes: At the end of each cycle you will be asked to submit a declaration as to the number of CPD points you have achieved in the cycle giving the breakdown within the 3 categories. The MII will randomly select a number of members in each year and ask them to substantiate their declaration. You should keep a log of the mediations conducted (this can be presented as the LOG with the names and identities of the parties removed), a log of the reflective practice and peer learning and invoices, conference papers or other materials to prove attendance. Where a complaint is lodged against an Advanced or Certified Member CPD verification will be sought.

The Council may, in its absolute discretion, require verification of a member’s CPD without attributing any reason for the request. Where a Mediator has not fulfilled the CPD requirements they may apply for exemption and have their case reviewed on an individual basis.

MII Code of Ethics and Practice

The MII Code of Ethics and Practice training must be undertaken by all MII members once every three years.
The course is delivered online over Zoom in two sessions of 1.5 hours each.
Click for details for upcoming courses.

Separating Couples training requirement

An additional 40 hours mandatory training is required for members who wish to be certified to mediate with Separating Couples. See Accredited Family Training for information and link to find upcoming courses.

Elder mediation training requirement

Additional mandatory training required for mediating with Elder clients. EMIN (Elder Mediation International Network) certification is required for members who wish to be certified in this sector. Details on the requirements of EMIN certification

See https://www.themii.ie/training/elder-mediation-training/ for details of training requirements and see https://www.themii.ie/training/course/ for upcoming courses by clicking on the button.

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Course

2026 CPD Requirement (Applicable from 1st January 2026)

Introduction
In order to ensure the highest professional standards and best practice, all members of the MII are required to engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

The purpose of CPD is to ensure that Mediators keep their knowledge and skills up to date for the benefit of users of their service and for their own personal and professional development. CPD has an underlying ethical premise that asserts that clients and parties have a right to expect competent and skilled practitioners. Thus every Mediator has a responsibility to maintain and develop knowledge and skills, and alongside the individual responsibility, lies the professional Institute’s obligation to provide the means whereby this can happen. Most professional bodies acknowledge that CPD is a commitment to lifelong learning with an emphasis on ‘home skills’, thus for the MII, the emphasis is on mediation skills and learning. The MII requires that all practising Members complete a minimum of 30 CPD hours annually and has agreed the CPD points system outlined below which will come into effect from January 2026.
To practice as a mediator, a member must meet the current accreditation requirements and must only practice within their competence. Continuing Professional Development is an essential and mandatory requirement for all practising Members and Advanced Members of MII. As part of the MII Code of Ethics, mediators are required, at a minimum, to comply with the current requirements for CPD and undertake Ethics Training every three years.

It should also be noted that Mediators must engage in Continuing Professional Development in order to meet the requirements of the Mediation Act 2017, section 8(b) which states that a mediator must provide the parties to mediation with details of their qualifications, training and experience and continuing professional development training.

Membership of a professional body such as the MII, provides reassurance to those that provide mediation services indirectly through commissioning mediators or directly through employing mediators. In addition, clients and parties who engage in mediation can be confident that the mediator has met a minimum standard and is continuing to develop and follow best practice. This is increasingly important in light of the requirements of the Mediation Act 2017 and the increasing focus on accreditation, best practice and quality when engaging an individual in a professional capacity.

As the MII considers CPD to be a vital component of the mediation profession, all members are required to adhere to the CPD requirements and provide evidence, if required, of CPD that has been completed each year. Compliance in terms of CPD will be monitored by the MII. In this context, the following framework provides a guide and support to members in attaining their annual quota of CPD points.

A CPD Recording Template (Word version) is available HERE to assist members in Recording their Annual Mediation Activities

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Requirements 2026

Practice – Annual Minimum to be Achieved 15 points (15 hours)

A Minimum of 15 points to be achieved from participating as the Mediator in a “real” mediation or in a supervised MII-approved Roleplay.
Points allocated as follows:
5 Points – Awarded for a case where a full Mediation Agreement has been reached and a Mediation Settlement has been drafted or approved by the Mediator and signed by the parties and the Mediator, in accordance with the provisions of the Mediation Act 2017.

5 Points – Awarded for a case where a Memorandum of Understanding has been drafted or approved by the Mediator and signed by the parties confirming that the matter(s) in dispute has been fully resolved.

4 Points – Awarded for a case where an Accord has been reached but where the parties have chosen not to sign a formal document. Such an outcome can be evidenced by

• A Record of Mediation or a Mediation Accord confirming that a Mediation Outcome was achieved but no formal agreement was required by the parties
• A Signed Statement from the parties that a Mediation Outcome was achieved but no formal agreement was required by the parties
• A Member’s Anonymised Reflective Practice notes indicating that settlement was achieved but no formal agreement was required by the parties

3 Points – Awarded for a case where a mediation session has occurred but agreement has not been reached.

3 Points – Awarded for Attendance as an Observer in a live Mediation having participated in discussions with the Mediator before or after the mediation session itself.

2 Points – Awarded for a case that did not progress to the mediation stage but where pre-mediation sessions occurred

2 Points – Awarded for a case that did not progress to the mediation stage but where skills such as Conflict Coaching, Facilitation, Conciliation and Non-Violent Communication were demonstrated (Max 6 Points available)

3 Points – Awarded for participation as the Mediator, a Party or an Observer providing Feedback/Reflection in a Role-play based on a MII-approved case study

Members should keep a log of all mediation cases or role plays completed in the current calendar year.

Learning – Annual Minimum to be Achieved 15 hours (15 points)
A Minimum of 15 points to be achieved from participation in the Mediation-Related Activities listed below.
Points allocated as follows:
1 point – Awarded for each hour of attendance or involvement.
2 points – Awarded for each hour you are the Principal Presenter
2 points – Awarded for each hour you act as Supervisor, Mentor or Assessor

Mediation-Related Activities
• MII Annual Conference (Max 9 points)
• Attendance at a Reflective Practice and Learning Group (Max 8 points)
• Presentation at a Reflective Practice and Learning Group (2 points per hour – Max 5 points)
• Acting as an External Assessor on an MII-approved Training Course or Acting as a Panel Member for an Advanced Mediator assessment (Max 5 points)
• Presenting on Mediation at a Public Event (Max 5 points)
• Attendance in Person at a Seminar / Lecture ( Max 5 points )
• Specialist Training Course (e.g. Ethics ) ( Max 5 points )
• Case Consultations with Peers, Mentor, Supervisor (Max 5 points)
• Case Consultations as a Mentor, Supervisor ( Max 5 points )
• Podcast / Webinar / Books and Articles Read ( Max 2 points )
• MII Ted Talk Club ( Max 3 points )
• Other – Please specify ( Max 3 points )

Note: To encourage Members to diversify in accumulating the Annual Minimum of 15 points, a limit of 5 points applies to the number of points that can be accrued for most Activities above apart from attendance at the MII Annual Conference where 9 points are available (Friday 6 points and Saturday 3 points) or Reflective Practice and Learning Group attendance where a maximum of 8 points are available annually.

A CPD Recording Template (Word version) is available CPD Recording Template for 2026 to assist members in Recording their Annual Mediation Activities

Notes

Reflective Practice and Learning Groups
Reflective Practice and Learning Groups provide an opportunity for members to
broaden their knowledge of mediation through direct participation in a peer group of fellow MII members. Topics can include a review of anonymised cases, presentations on mediation-related subjects or books, discussions around topical issues like AI in mediation, child inclusive mediation etc. In the Group session Members may also reflect on recent mediation experiences (see note on Reflective Practice below). Each session should also allow time for group questions and discussion on the presentations made. Group sessions can also afford members the opportunity to engage in a MII-approved Roleplay on occasion.

Reflective Practice
Reflective practice is a process of self-reflection that supports continued learning and competence. The importance of reflective practice in mediation is highlighted by Lang (2019) who asserts that by engaging in reflective practice we challenge our assumptions, adapt our thinking, and can respond to unexpected events we experience in our practice.

Reflection informs learning about practice when a process is adopted that describes, analyses, and evaluates experiences of practice. This process enables us to make sense of what we have learned and to build on prior learning and experiences.

Pre-Mediation
Both Mediation and Pre-mediation sessions can involve the use of many different types of skill sets and techniques. Pre-Mediation sessions, in particular, afford the mediator the opportunity to utilise learned skills such as conflict coaching and non-violent communication which have proved very successful in sectors such as Community, Workplace and Family mediation. Pre-Mediation sessions where a level of competence is demonstrated in such disciplines qualify for CPD points.

Mentoring
Mentoring is designed to support less experienced mediators to develop their practice. This process involves an experienced practitioner providing guidance and direction. Mentoring provides a learning opportunity for the mentor and mentee. Both can use this process to obtain CPD points as part of their reflective log. Mediators who are Mentees will receive 1 CPD point for every hour they engage with a mentor. Mentors will obtain 2 CPD points for every hour they mentor.

Supervision / Case Consultation
The purpose of Supervision/Case Consultation is to provide a safe and confidential environment for practitioners to reflect on and to discuss their work with a focus on their personal and professional responses to their work. The focus is on supporting the practitioner in their personal and professional development and in reflecting on their practice. Mediators undergoing supervision / case consultation will receive 1 CPD point for every hour they engage with a Supervisor / Case Consultant. Supervisors / Case Consultants will obtain 2 CPD points for every hour they supervise / consult.

Specialist Training
Specialist Training Courses are courses that enhance the Mediator’s knowledge and skills and assists them in conducting mediation to a high standard. These courses can range from sector-specific courses ( Separating Couples, Elder etc.) to additional-learning courses that enhance a mediator’s professional development (Conflict Coaching, Non-Violent Communication, Advanced Mediation Questions Training etc.).

Annual Review
When renewing your MII Annual Membership will be asked to submit a declaration as to the number of CPD points you have achieved in the previous calendar year cycle giving the breakdown within the Practice and Learning categories. To assist Members with this exercise, the MII has prepared a CPD Recording Template document in Word format which is available to download from the Members’ Area of the MII Website.
The MII will randomly select a number of members each year and ask them to substantiate their declaration. You should keep a log of the Mediations conducted (this can be presented with the names and identities of the parties removed), a log of Roleplays in which you participated, a log of Reflective Practice and Learning Group attendances, supervision / case consultation, peer learning, training course invoices, conference papers or other materials to prove attendance. Where a complaint is lodged against an Advanced or Certified Member CPD verification will be sought.
The Council may, in its absolute discretion, require verification of a member’s CPD without attributing any reason for the request. Where a Mediator has not fulfilled the CPD requirements for a particular year they may apply for an exemption and have their case reviewed on an individual basis.