It's the work of the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and Jomarie Lanza spoke with some of the new mediators this morning at the Chief Justice's Chambers where they were sworn in:

Chief Justice Louise Blenman swore in 21 new court appointed mediators this morning who will serve on the roster of the senior court. This is the first cohort of court mediators that have been appointed since 2013.

Consuelo Godfrey, Frmr. Pres.- Alternative Dispute Resolution Assoc.
"We were formed in 2012 when we had the first 52 mediators sworn in kind of like the similar ceremony that we had today. Those 52 mediators were on, but we call the judicial roster for Supreme Court mediation, and civil matters. From that pool, we had about 15 mediators that got trained in Family Court mediation and magistrate court mediation and since then we've had a little lull in terms of recruitment effort to get mediators sworn into the court system, so I am really pleased and grateful to Chief Justice Blenman and the three justices that sit on the commission. Justice Nanton, Justice Arana and Justice Alexander for their hard work and dedication in getting this mediation sworn in ceremony possible today. We do plan to swear in another COHORT of mediators after the ceremony of this year but the important thing is to remember that mediation is such an important process in the judicial system it's really about parties coming together that can find a common ground to perhaps come to an agreement."

Not only does this ensure that all parties involved in mediation have a chance to voice their concerns but this also assists in reducing the court backlog. The Civil Procedure Rules of Belize anticipates that 80% of cases can be settled and do not have to go to trial.

Laura Alvarado, President, Mediators Association
"Mediation is very helpful within the system because it assists civil matters that are brought before the court, as well as family matters that are brought before the court. Sometimes parties are able to enter mediation to settle their disputes in an amicable manner without the need to go to litigation and the expenses involved. So it is greatly encouraged for litigants to participate in mediation as well as arbitration later on."

It is a thirteen week training designed for participants to familiarize themselves with the judicial system.

Ashley Rocke, Mediator
"Well the University of the West Indies offers mediation training using people like counselor Julie-Ann Bradley, counselor Julie-Ann Bradley. She has been out teacher and we did the basic and then we went on to do the advanced training and after that we were given the privilege to try ADRAB which is when we were there was coordinated by Ms Counsuelo Godfrey recently we've had a new president added to our array of administrators and so the process has been that."

But for some of these mediators who possess the experience, it merely solidifies a continuation of the work that they are passionate about.

Dianne Finnegan, Mediator
"This is something that I've been doing all along when I was working with the gangs. You know my work on a daily basis with young people empowering and motivating young people going to schools and just sort of encouraging young people on a whole on how to journey through this challenging life. And doing it in a way that there is no division there is no disunity among themselves but understanding each other as human beings."