The local rules of Illinois' 8th Judicial Circuit serving Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Mason, Menard, Pike and Schuyler Counties.
Local Rule 7.4 addresses the Circuit's Mediation Program for Domestic Relations and Family Law Cases. Under this rule, the parties to contested issues of parental responsibility, custody, visitation, removal or access in which an impediment does not exist may not proceed to a hearing on those issues until mediation has concluded, or with leave of the court. The rule calls for the parties to select a mediator from the court's list of approved mediators. Mediator qualifications to be on this list are outlined. Mediation communications are to be confidential, with some limitations. Mediators are required to provide reduced fee or pro bono services as assigned by the court.