Ground Rules for Conduct of The Mediation

            The following are the Ground Rules which must be followed by the parties and their counsel during the course of mediation in order that the parties have the best opportunity of reaching a resolution of their dispute:

1.         The parties will agree at the outset on a date and time for a continued mediation session in the event one becomes necessary.

2.         Both parties and counsel shall conduct themselves in a civil and polite manner throughout the course of the mediation.

3.         Counsel will make every effort to allow their clients to participate fully and freely in the settlement process, keeping in mind that the success of the mediation proceeding is dependent on the client's participation.

4.         If at any time a party or counsel for any party feel a need to caucus between themselves they should bring this fact to the attention of the mediator and the proceeding will be suspended to allow such necessary communications. 

5.         All parties and counsel must agree that the mediator is to be in charge of the mediation proceedings and all participants shall yield to the mediator.

6.         Since the mediation is a purely voluntary process any party may chose at any time and for any reason to suspend or terminate the mediation.  If, however, the mediation is being conducted pursuant to a contract, the parties may have a greater obligation to pursue a mediated resolution.

7.         The mediator will not release confidential information unless authorized by the party from whom the information came.

8.         If it appears that the matter is not one the can be mediated due to inadequate information or for other reasons no further progress can be made, the mediator will invite the parties to continue the mediation to another date and may condition his willingness to continue mediating on certain conditions which he feels are necessary to accomplish the goal of a mediated resolution.

9.         All cell phones shall be turned off and no texting or emailing will take place during the course of the mediation unless it is directly related to the dispute resolution.  This will allow parties and their counsel to be attentive only to those matters which will best assist in the resolution of the matters in dispute.