Mediation News

In Washington State, Mediator's Legal Conflict Of Interest

Mediator's Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: 
(1) Before accepting a mediation, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall:

     (a) Make an inquiry that is reasonable under the circumstances to determine whether there are any known facts that a reasonable individual would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the mediator, including a financial or personal interest in the outcome of the mediation and an existing or past relationship with a mediation party or foreseeable participant in the mediation; and

     (b) Disclose any such known fact to the mediation parties as soon as is practical before accepting a mediation.

(2) If a mediator learns any fact described in subsection (1)(a) of this section after accepting a mediation, the mediator shall disclose it as soon as is practicable.

(3) At the request of a mediation party, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall disclose the mediator's qualifications to mediate a dispute.

(4) A person that violates subsection (1) or (2) of this section is precluded by the violation from asserting a privilege under RCW

Participation In Mediation:
An attorney or other individual designated by a party may accompany the party to and participate in a mediation, except that if the dispute being mediated is the subject of pending proceedings under chapter 12.40 RCW, then a party may not be represented by an attorney in mediation unless the party may be represented by an attorney in the proceedings under chapter 12.40 RCW. A waiver of participation given before the mediation may be rescinded.

If you decide to retain a mediator in Vermont and begin the mediation process, Contact our Vermont Mediaton Lawyer now!

	Did You Know?
	Mediation has many qualities that make it appealing. In most cases, mediation is: conciliatory fair quick inexpensive voluntary confidential Mediation also has several key benefits. It promotes: greater participant control customized agreements workable decisions mutually satisfactory outcomes improved relationships high rates of compliance decisions that hold up over time