Rule 16.32. General

(A) Voluntary participation

(1) A court shall not mandate that parties in a civil stalking protection order case use mediation.

(2) The parties in a civil stalking protection order case shall knowingly and voluntarily participate in mediation based on informed consent; free from coercion or intimidation; and absent from coercive, controlling, or abusive conduct.

(B) Fees and costs A court of common pleas shall not assess to the petitioner any fees or costs in connection with the mediation of a civil stalking protection order case.

(C) Mediation environment A court of common pleas shall take reasonable precautions to create a safe mediation environment for the parties.

(D) Education and training A mediator appointed to a mediate civil stalking protection order case shall comply with the education and training requirements of Sup.R. 16.23. RULES 16.33 through 16.39 are reserved for future use