The Ninth Judicial Administrative District of Georgia
311 JESSE JEWELL PKWY, SUITE 104, GAINESVILLE, GA 30501
TELEPHONE: 770.535.6909 FAX: 770.531.4072
BUSINESS HOURS: 8:30a - 5:00p
VALERIE A. LYLE
9TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ADR DIRECTOR
GRACE MCGOWAN
9TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COURT ADMINISTRATOR
ADR AND DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATION OFFICES
Dear 9th Judicial District Mediators:
The 9th Judicial Administrative District Superior Court Judges are temporarily approving the use of a videoconferencing platform to facilitate mediations. You are required to use a secure internet connection (no public wi-fi) and safe and accessible videoconferencing software. The software should have no time restrictions on meetings, break-out rooms, screen sharing and security features such as administrator controls, password protection, encryption and authentication. Make sure your virus protection and firewall are up-to-date. Please remember:
1. Cases with allegations of domestic violence should still be screened prior to scheduling mediation.
2. Address who will be allowed to attend and be in the room with a party.
3. A method of document sharing such as Google docs, Dropbox, etc. Document execution capability such as DocuSign, printer/scanner, Adobe, etc. The mediation guidelines should be signed by all persons attending the mediation prior to commencing the mediation session.
4. For pro se party(s) please confirm identity by viewing a photo identification.
5. Confirm who is attending the session. If there are attendees who are not a party to the case, make a determination as to their role in the session and address and manage confidentiality issues.
6. If party(s) do not have technical capability or do not wish to mediate using a videoconferencing platform please contact our office as some judges are ordering they attend a virtual session.
7. Notify parties in advance of payment method(s).
Should you have any questions, please contact us at adr9mediation@gmail.com.