Mediation Act 2017
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SCHEDULE Minimum Requirements in Relation to Council | ||
Section 12 (4) | ||
1. The general functions of the Council shall be to do the following: | ||
(a) promote public awareness of, and provide information to the public, on the availability and operation of mediation in the State; | ||
(b) maintain and develop standards in the provision of mediation, including the establishment of a system of continuing professional development training; | ||
(c) prepare codes of practice for mediators for approval by the Minister under section 9 and oversee the implementation of any code of practice published or approved under that section; | ||
(d) establish and maintain a register of mediators who have subscribed to a code of practice published or approved under section 9 ; | ||
(e) advise the Minister on the preparation or approval of a scheme under section 23 and on the delivery of mediation information sessions in family law cases. | ||
2. The Council shall be independent in the performance of its functions. | ||
3. The Council shall consist of not less than 11 members, of whom— | ||
(a) 5 shall be members who are representative of bodies promoting mediation services or representing the interests of mediators, and | ||
(b) 6 shall be members who represent the public interest (in this Schedule referred to as “public interest members”). | ||
4. (1) The Council may regulate, by standing orders or otherwise— | ||
(a) the term of office and re-appointment of members of the Council, | ||
(b) the procedures to be followed at meetings of the Council, and | ||
(c) any other business of the Council. | ||
(2) One of the public interest members of the Council shall be appointed as chairperson. | ||
5. (1) The public interest members shall— | ||
(a) be persons who are independent of the interests of mediators, and | ||
(b) be selected for appointment as members in accordance with a selection process that is advertised to members of the public in a manner that the Minister considers to be sufficient. | ||
(2) The criteria for selecting persons for appointment as public interest members shall be published in such manner as will enable them to be inspected by members of the public. | ||
6. The Council shall be funded from fees calculated in accordance with such rules as it shall make for that purpose. |