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# Effect of Rules and Guidelines

The purpose of these rules is to assist you in reaching a settlement of the issues submitted for mediation. It is hoped that the rules and guidelines will protect the integrity and confidentiality of the mediation process. It is believed that the guidelines will assist you in examining relevant factors necessary for a full discussion o f the issues. It is up to you to determine a resolution of your conflict and the mediator will not use these rules other than to protect the integrity of the process and to ensure full discussion and analysis of relevant issues.

# Agreement to Mediate

We shall have these rules as a part of the mediation agreement whenever the agreement provides or whenever you have agreed in writing that mediation shall be conducted by __________. These rules and any amendments shall apply in this form at the time the mediation is initiated.

# Conduct of Mediation

The mediation process may be conducted by the mediator(s) in whatever manner will most expeditiously permit full discussion and resolution of the issues. The mediator(s) are authorized to negotiate between you and to encourage you to settle each issue.

# Concurrence of Mediator(s)

The mediator(s) may indicate to you their concurrence or non-concurrence with the settlement agreement reached. A written notation of the mediator(s) concurrence or non-concurrence may be made below your signatures on the memorandum of understanding of the settlement terms and shall be signed by the mediator(s). Concurrence indicates the mediator(s) judgment that the settlement appears to be substantially equitable and fair to each party. Non-concurrence shall in no way detract from the full force and effectiveness of the settlement contract to be reached between you. The mediator(s) shall have no duty to explain or justify non-concurrence beyond a general indication of the particular area or areas toward which their non-concurrence is directed.

# Confidentiality of Mediation

By understanding the mediation under these rules, _____ _____ and the parties mutually agree with each other on these principles of confidentiality:

## Mediation is a procedure for reaching settlement of a dispute either in litigation or likely to be in litigation between you.

## Through the adoption of these rules you agree that neither of you, or none of you if more than two parties, may call either the mediator or any officer or agent of the mediator as a witness in any litigation of any description in which they are called upon to testify as to any matter regarding the mediation proceeding; and, in like manner, both of you shall be stopped from requiring the production of such a litigation of any records or documents or tape recordings made by the mediator.

## The foregoing exclusion from evidence and exemptions of the mediator and parties from giving testimony or being called upon to produce documents shall apply also to the use of neutral experts and other professionals called upon by you in mediation under this agreement.

## Mediations conducted by a professional mediator shall be considered settlement negotiations, shall come within the purview of his/her profession al privilege, and shall be kept confidential by terms of the contract.

## The mediator will treat all information obtained from and about the participants throughout the mediation process as confidential, and will not voluntarily disclose this information, unless disclosure is necessary for the conduct of the mediation or is required by law, without consent of both parties. Disclosure is required by law in cases of child abuse.

## For mediation to function well it is necessary that each person feel free and comfortable in bringing feelings, facts, and information forward for discussion or to assist in the negotiations. To help foster openness, parties waive their right to compel the mediator or mediator's agents to disclose information obtained from mediation.

## If mediation was ordered by the court to resolve a domestic dispute relating to child custody and visitation, each party may refuse to disclose and prevent a witness from disclosing any communication made in mediation. How ever, the legal privilege to avoid or prevent disclosure of information does not apply to required child abuse reporting, crime committed in mediation, or expressed intent to commit a crime in the future.

# Full Disclosure

Each person shall fully disclose in the presence of the other all information and writings, such as financial statements, income tax returns, etc. requested by the mediator an d all information requested by the opposite party if the mediator find such other disclosure is appropriate to the mediation process and may aid you in reaching a settlement.

# Preparation of Budgets

The preparation of budgets by each of you is an essential part of the mediation process. If either of you fails or refuses to prepare a budget adequately reflecting his/her needs, the mediator shall have the duty to suspend mediation of these issues, or, at the mediator's discretion, declare an impasse.

# Participation of Children and Others

Children or other person s having a direct interest in the mediation may participate in mediation sessions related to their interest with consent of the parties and the mediator. Without such consent, only the parties may be present or participate in mediation. The mediator may always meet with the children when the mediator thinks it is best to do so.

# Transfers of Property

During the mediation process, neither of us will transfer, encumber, conceal, or in any other way dispose of assets except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life. Transactions by either party in the regular course of business and for any other purpose affecting 10% or more of the total assets will require prior mutual agreement.

# Drafting of Memorandum of Understanding

The mediator, at the conclusion of the sessions, shall draft a detailed memorandum setting forth the decisions agreed upon by you in mediation and describing the proposed terms of settlement and will attach factual documents. The memorandum shall contain background information about the parties and shall set forth the factual information relied upon by the parties in reaching settlement. The memorandum w ill be submitted by each of you to your attorneys who will review and implement your decisions as reflected in the memorandum. Any new issues raised by your attorneys shall be returned to mediation for further negotiations.

# Legal Representation

The mediator, although he is a lawyer, is neither acting as attorney for, nor providing advice to, nor representation of, any party in mediation; and you agree that legal issues relating to our decisions in mediation will be referred to your attorneys which you might retain before, during, or after the process. You agree to obtain independent legal counsel of your own choice at the conclusion of the mediation process, if any contract or legal proceedings are to follow mediation. You understand that the mediator does not represent either or both of you.

After mediation and before a binding legal settlement agreement is made in order to avoid risk of defeating the agreement or of accidental or irreparable harm, legal representation is required and you each agree to retain counsel of your own choice to represent you. It is also suggested that you obtain legal counsel before and during the mediation process so that you may discuss legal issues with your own attorney before or between sessions as the negotiations continue.

Your consent to the mediation allows a lawyer ethically to act as mediator to mediate between you as a neutral third party in the dispute, but no attorney-client relationship exists between the mediator an d either or both of you in mediation. You understand that emotions affect negotiations and that your interests are or may be in conflict or potential conflict. The mediator recognizes this and will help you move gradually through negotiating the various issues which arise.

# Amendment of Rules

The mediator reserves the right to amend these rules at any time, provided, however, such amendment shall not apply to existing controversies which are in mediation on the date of such amendment without consent of the disputants and the mediator.

# Impasse

The mediator may declare an impasse at any time when in his/her judgment the agreement-making process is blocked or has halted and is not likely to proceed further.

# Separate Sessions (Private Sessions, Caucuses)

It may be helpful to the mediation for the mediator to meet with each party separately. This is to allow each party to express things he or she may not feel comfortable expressing in the mediation joint session. The party in the private session may ask that information disclosed there be kept confidential from the other party. The mediator will either follow this request or will let the party know that it cannot be honored if mediation is to continue, giving the mediator or the party the option of terminating the mediation without disclosure of the information to the other party. If confidentiality is requested, the mediator may use the confidential information as deemed appropriate to the process but without disclosure to the other party or parties.

# Meetings with Third Parties

The mediator may suggest that the parties consult with a third party, such as an accountant or an appraiser, to gather additional information to be brought back to the mediation session to permit informed negotiations. Parties agree to cooperate in this process. The mediator may consult with a third party with the prior consent of the parties.

# Temporary Suspension or Termination by Mediator

The mediator may temporarily suspend or terminate the mediation if, in the judgment of the mediator, the parties cannot prudently reach an agreement without outside help, there is a known or potential conflict of interest of the mediator, there has not been fair and full disclosure, a party is unable or unwilling to participate in the mediation process, continuation would harm a party or the proposed agreement does not protect the best interest of the __________, or if the mediator believes the agreement does or will involve overreaching, duress, or unfairness.

# Conclusion

In conclusion, a breakup is always painful, and negotiations and planning for life afterwords is not always easy. However, the mediator understands this will assist you in your effort so that it can be concluded as smoothly and economically as possible.

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Q: Mediation in Family Law-Rules and Guidelines?
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Barbara Landau has written: 'Family Mediation Handbook' -- subject(s): Divorce mediation, Domestic relations, Family mediation 'Family Mediation and Collaborative Practice Handbook'


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If you are unbiased in your opinion and you have attended session, which are conducted for potential mediators and you have scored well in those sessions, then you can be a mediator to your family.


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