Rule 12.020.Definitions
Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026
Full Text of Rule 12.020
Plain-English Summary
UTCR 12.020 is the glossary for the mediation chapter, and the definitions do real work. An approved mediator is one that a circuit court or judicial district of this state officially recognizes, and shows by appropriate official documentation, as approved within that court or district for one or more of the mediation programs it runs. Approval is local and documented, not a statewide credential a mediator carries from county to county.
The rule names the mediator roles the chapter governs, each tied to a qualification rule. A general civil mediator handles civil matters in circuit court under ORS 36.185 to 36.210, including small claims and forcible entry and detainer cases, and meets the requirements of UTCR 12.060. A domestic relations custody and parenting mediator works under ORS 107.755 and meets UTCR 12.070. A domestic relations financial mediator works under the same statute and meets UTCR 12.080. Each role has a matching supervisor definition, because the supervised experience those rules require has to be signed off by someone at the higher level.
Several other entries are shorthand for whole rules. The basic mediation curriculum points to UTCR 12.100, the domestic relations custody and parenting mediation curriculum to UTCR 12.110, domestic relations financial mediation training to UTCR 12.120, court-system training to UTCR 12.130, and the continuing education requirements to UTCR 12.140. The determining authority is the entity that acts under UTCR 12.030, and independent qualification review is the process in UTCR 12.090. Mediation itself is not defined here — the chapter borrows the statutory definition at ORS 36.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does approved mediator mean in the Oregon trial court rules?
It means a mediator whom a circuit court or judicial district officially recognizes, and documents as recognized, for one or more of that court's mediation programs. The approval names a category: general civil, domestic relations custody and parenting, or domestic relations financial.
Who is the determining authority?
The definition points to UTCR 12.030: the determining authority is the entity that acts under that rule on questions of whether someone qualifies to be an approved mediator. UTCR 12.030 makes it the presiding judge of the judicial district unless the role has been delegated.
Does chapter 12 define mediation itself?
No. The chapter defines the mediator roles and the training behind them, but for the meaning of mediation it points to ORS 36.110. That keeps the rules aligned with the statute rather than creating a second definition.
Is a general civil mediator the same thing as a general civil mediation supervisor?
No. A supervisor is a higher tier. The definition describes a general civil mediation supervisor as someone qualified at the level described in UTCR 12.060, which sets extra case and hour requirements beyond what an approved general civil mediator needs.
Does a general civil mediator handle small claims and eviction cases?
The definition of general civil mediator covers civil matters in circuit court under ORS 36.185 to 36.210, including small claims and forcible entry and detainer cases. Whether any particular case goes to mediation depends on the program the court operates.