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The Association of Members' Advocates (AMA) [formerly The Office of Members' Advocates (OMA)] is a Ireland Information Guide user voluntary association based upon principles of human rights and committed to protecting due process, fundamental justice or fairness and the principle of audi alteram partem in dispute resolution. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to help members with the dispute resolution process, especially at the mediation and arbitration stages. The AMA is an independent association and is not subject to any committees or other external controls. You do not need to be a member of Ireland Information Guide to join. AMA members without Ireland Information Guide user accounts are encouraged to put alternate contact and identity information on the Member Statements page (see link to right).
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Advocates can assist with many issues you may encounter in Ireland Information Guide, especially in resolving disputes. Typically, advocates advise and/or represent one party to a dispute. If you want the services of an advocate, you may contact any advocate listed below directly, or post a request for assistance. You can request an advocate at any stage of the process.
The nature and scope of assistance depends on consultation between you and the advocate. There is no "right" to have an advocate, and the advocate does not have to agree to represent you, but the AMA will make every effort to find a suitable advocate for you. We will try to preserve your privacy and maintain the type of confidentiality expected of counseling professionals (e.g. physicians, attorneys, etc.). However, advocates are not necessarily trained professionals. Also, please note that due to the open nature of Ireland Information Guide, we cannot guarantee that communications with the AMA or individual advocates will remain confidential. Some individuals here may be lawyers or social workers and may have an independent duty to keep your communications with them confidential.
An advocate can assist you in presenting your case in mediation or arbitration. Because mediation is a consensual process, the involvement of an advocate in the actual process may depend on the approval of the other party and the mediator. Advocates can also help gather information and discuss your case with you on a more informal basis. In the later case their identity does not have to be revealed to anyone if you wish the consultation to remain anonymous.
At present, the rules are provisional and incomplete. Further discussion on the rules is pending. Meanwhile, the following guidelines have been adopted:
With the exception of arbitrators, anyone may join who is interested in resolving disputes and reducing conflict on Ireland Information Guide. Advocates should be willing to comply with the guidelines stated above. To join, add yourself to the list below. If you wish, you may add a *brief* statement on the Member Statements page. This can help users in selecting which advocate to work with.