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Politics & Government

Collingswood Municipal Court Seeks Volunteers

"Blessed are the peacemakers" who lend a hand in settling community disputes while relieving strain on the borough courts system. Want to help? Call 856-854-7535.

Collingswood Community Disputes Resolution Committee (CDRC) is looking for citizen volunteers 21 and older to train as mediators.

CDRC is an alternative solution for citizens to resolve interpersonal and minor problems outside of court. Mediators listen to all sides of an issue and help resolve the problem without involving court costs, a legal record, or the full weight of the justice system.

The program is looking for people with the ability to:

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* communicate well with people of different perspectives
* hear all the details of a story objectively and impartially
* be non-judgmental and solution-oriented
* creatively resolve problems

All volunteers receive an 18-hour course in formal mediation strategies from the New Jersey Judicial System.

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Think you could help? Contact at 856-854-7535.

Mediation: A Brief Overview
Reprinted from the collingswood.com Courts page.

Why is Mediation Recommended?

1. There is no court cost to either party.

2. If mediation is successfrul, there is no court record when the complaint is dismissed.

3. Mediation promotes harmony among disputing parties because these parties play a role in the resolution of their case.

4. There is no “win/lose situation:” All parties are winners.

5. There is no pressure on the parties to reach an agreement.

6. Mediation supports the idea of community involvement by using volunteer members of the community, as mediators, in terms.

How are Cases Referred?
1. A complaintant files an informal notice of mediation with the count administrator to initiate the mediation process. Once this form is signed, a mediation date is set and a copy of this notice is forwarded to all involved parties.

2. A citizen, can also report an incident to the police who may refer the citizen to the local court administrator for more information.

3. After a formal complaint has been filed and the parties appear before a Municipal Court Judge, the judge may decide after reviewing the complaint, that the case is appropriate for mediation.

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