Notice and Order - Amendments to Court Rules re Court Staff Mediators and Hearing Officers; Related Supreme Court Actions

The Supreme Court has taken a number of actions relating to court staff assigned to be Family mediators or hearing officers. Those actions are set forth in the attached April 21 , 2025 Order, effective May 1, 2025, as follows:

1. Authorized the Administrative Director of the Com1s to prescribe the standards, qualifications, and training requirements for Judiciary staff who are assigned to be Family mediators or hearing officers;
2. Amended Rule 1 :40-12 ("Mediators and Arbitrators in Court Annexed Programs");
3. Deleted Rule 5:25-2 ("Referees"), Rule 5:25-3 ("Child Support Hearing Officers"), and Rule 5:25-4 ("Domestic Violence Hearing Officers");
4. Adopted new Rule 5:25-5 ("Court Staff Mediators and Hearing Officers");
5. Rescinded Supreme Court Order dated December 10, 2002 ("Juvenile Referee Standards");
6. Rescinded Administrative Directive # 14-18 ("Domestic Violence Hearing Officer Program Standards");
7. Concluded the Juvenile Referee Program; and
8. Rescinded all other applicable Judiciary policies on standards and training requirements for court staff acting as Family mediators or hearing officers

Questions on this notice may be directed to Joanne M. Dietrich, Assistant Director for Family Practice, at (609) 815-2900, ext. 55350.