Each court, in consultation with local bar associations, ADR providers, and associations of providers, must identify persons who may be appointed as mediators. The court must consider the criteria in standard 10.72 of the Standards of Judicial Administration and California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 3622, relating to the Dispute Resolution Program Act.
Rule 3.892.Panels of mediators
Division 8. Alternative Dispute Resolution · Chapter 4. Civil Action Mediation Program Rules · Last amended 2009 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.892 requires each court to work with local bar associations and ADR providers to identify qualified mediators for its panel, applying criteria drawn from the statewide Standards of Judicial Administration and the Dispute Resolution Program Act regulations.
Full Text of Rule 3.892
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.892 tells a court how to build the pool of mediators it will draw from under the program. It is not supposed to make that call alone — the court has to consult with local bar associations, ADR providers, and associations of those providers before identifying who can be appointed.
The rule also anchors the quality bar. Courts have to weigh the criteria set out in the statewide Standards of Judicial Administration and the regulations tied to the Dispute Resolution Program Act, so a mediator qualifying for one court’s panel meets the same baseline expectations a mediator would meet anywhere else in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides which mediators go on a court’s panel?
The court, but rule 3.892 requires it to consult local bar associations, ADR providers, and provider associations before identifying panel mediators.
Does every court use its own standards for qualifying mediators?
No. Rule 3.892 requires courts to consider criteria set out in the statewide Standards of Judicial Administration and the Dispute Resolution Program Act regulations.
Amendment History
Rule 3.892 renumbered effective July 1, 2009; adopted as rule 1632 effective March 1, 1994; previously amended and renumbered as rule 3.872 effective January 1, 2007.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
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