Concerning mediator competence and training, the author advises that mediation should be done by persons having certain requisite competencies, whether the persons are lawyers or mental health professionals, and that minimal competencies and structured training should be established. Regarding the role of lawyers as advisers to disputants, various models of attorney roles in alternative dispute resolution are considered. The model chosen will depend on the circumstances of the case and the persons involved. A related issue considered is protection for the children of the divorce. The author notes that mediation has been no more successful than the courts in ensuring that children's interests are adequately considered in agreements reached. In another issue examined, the author looks at the professional ethics of attorneys involved in mediation, particularly as they act as intermediaries rather than client advocates. Other issues discussed are criteria for cases appropriate for mediation, the institutionalization of mediation as a mechanism for resolving disputes, and the relationship between formal and informal dispute settlement systems. Thirteen references are listed.