# Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 8: Rule 8. The Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee > North Carolina · Court rules · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R8 ## Section - **Citation:** Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 8 - **Heading:** Rule 8. The Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee - **Jurisdiction:** North Carolina - **Kind:** Court rules - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** North Carolina Court Rules / Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission / Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 8 ## Text (a) Appointment of the Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee. The Commission’s chair shall appoint a standing committee on standards and advisory opinions to address the matters listed in subsection (b) of this rule. (b) Matters to Be Considered by the Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee. The Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee shall review and consider the following: (1) Proposals for amending the Standards of Professional Conduct for Mediators, the Commission’s Advisory Opinion Policy, or the Commission’s Advertising Policy. (2) Requests from Commission staff for assistance in responding to inquiries from mediators and the public as to the interpretation of statutes, rules, the Standards of Professional Conduct for Mediators, advisory opinions, policies, or guidelines of the Commission. (3) Drafts and proposals of advisory opinions for adoption by the Commission under the Commission’s Advisory Opinion Policy. (4) Matters that relate to mediator advertising, including review of advertisements or related materials for consistency with the Commission’s Advertising Policy. (5) Matters that interface with the North Carolina State Bar or other professional regulatory body regarding inconsistencies and/or conflicts between these rules and/or policies and the rules and/or policies of those entities. (c) Initial Commission Staff Review. (1) Commission staff may respond in writing to requests for assistance from mediators and the public under subsection (b)(2) of this rule, or may respond orally if time is of the essence. Staff shall consult with the chair of the Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee as necessary to ensure correct and consistent responses. Written requests for formal advisory opinions shall be referred to the chair of the committee in compliance with the procedures established by the committee he public under subsection (b)(2) of this rule, or may respond orally if time is of the essence. Staff shall consult with the chair of the Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee as necessary to ensure correct and consistent responses. Written requests for formal advisory opinions shall be referred to the chair of the committee in compliance with the procedures established by the committee. The referral procedures shall ensure that the case file number, the names of parties, and other identifying information are redacted so that any decision cannot be influenced by the information. (2) All requests for informal advice shall be logged by Commission staff, and the requesting party’s confidentiality shall be maintained unless the requesting party indicates otherwise. (d) Review by the Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee. (1) If the chair of the Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee determines that a Commission advisory opinion is warranted under subsection (c) of this rule, then the matter shall be considered by the committee. If the committee concurs, then a proposed advisory opinion shall be drafted, approved by the committee, and submitted to the Commission for its consideration. (2) If the chair of the Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee determines that a formal Commission advisory opinion is not warranted under subsection (c) of this rule, then the requesting party shall be advised in writing and provided with informal advice, if requested. History Note. 373 N.C. 606. ## Nearby sections - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 1 Rule 1. Officers and Committees of the Commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R1.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 2 Rule 2. Commission Office; Commission Staff](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R2.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 3 Rule 3. Commission Membership](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R3.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 4 Rule 4. Meetings of the Commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R4.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 5 Rule 5. Commission’s Budget](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R5.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 6 Rule 6. Powers and Duties of the Commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R6.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 7 Rule 7. Mediator Conduct](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R7.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 8 Rule 8. The Standards and Advisory Opinions Committee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R8.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 9 Rule 9. The Grievance and Disciplinary Committee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R9.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 10 Rule 10. The Mediator Certification and Training Committee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R10.md) - [Rules of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Rule 11 Rule 11. Internal Operating Procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R11.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCDRC_R8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.