Home Table of Contents

Rule VIII Mediation - civil cases

Baldwin's Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated42nd Judicial Circuit - Calloway and Marshall Circuit Court

Baldwin's Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated
42nd Judicial Circuit - Calloway and Marshall Circuit Court
KY RCAC Rule VIII
Rule VIII Mediation - civil cases
(A) Mediation defined.
Mediation is an informal process in which a neutral third person(s) called a mediator facilitates the resolution of a dispute between two or more parties. The process is designed to help disputing parties reach an agreement on all or part of the issues in dispute. Decision-making authority remains with the parties, not the mediator. The mediator assists the parties in identifying issues, fostering joint problem-solving, and exploring settlement alternatives.
(B) Referral of cases to mediation.
At any time on its own motion or on motion of any party, the court may refer a case or portion of a case for mediation. In this decision, the court shall consider:
(1) the stage of the litigation, including the need for discovery, and the extent to which it has been conducted;
(2) the nature of the issues to be resolved;
(3) the value of the parties of confidentiality, rapid resolution, or the promotion or maintenance of on-going relationships;
(4) the willingness of the parties to mutually resolve their dispute;
(5) other attempts at dispute resolution; and
(6) the ability of the parties to participate in the mediation process including the ability of the parties to pay the cost of mediation.
(C) No stay of proceedings.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, mediation shall not stay any other proceedings.
(D) Appointment of a mediator.
Within fifteen (15) days of referral, the parties shall agree on a mediator or a mediation service. If the parties cannot agree, they shall notify the court, which will select a mediator or a mediation service.
(E) Mediator compensation.
The mediator shall be compensated at the rate agreed between the mediator and the parties if the mediator is chosen by agreement. If the mediator is appointed by the Court, the fee for the mediator shall be reasonable and no greater than the mediator's standard rate as a mediator and said fees shall be subject to court approval. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties or ordered by the Court, the parties shall equally divide the mediator's professional fees.
(F) Mediation procedure.
Following selection of the mediator, the mediator shall set an initial mediation conference within thirty (30) days. The mediation conference shall be held in the county in which the case is pending or at a site agreed upon by the parties. The mediator may meet with the parties or their counsel prior to the mediation conference for the purpose of establishing a procedure for the mediation conference. The mediator may require the parties to submit a confidential statement of the case or other materials that the mediator may reasonably believe appropriate for efficiently conducting the mediation conference.
(G) Attendance at mediation conference.
The parties must attend the mediation conference. Counsel shall attend the mediation conference unless otherwise agreed to by the parties and the mediator or ordered by the Court. If a party is a public entity, it shall appear by the physical presence of a representative with full authority to negotiate on behalf of the entity and to recommend settlement to the appropriate decision making body or officer of the entity. If a party is an organization other than a public entity, it shall appear by the physical presence of a representative, other than the party's counsel of record, who has full authority to settle without further consultation. If any party is insured for the claim in dispute, that party shall also be required to have its insurer(s) present by the physical presence of a representative of the insurance carrier(s) who is not that carrier's outside counsel; this representative must have full settlement authority. The foregoing requirements of attendance may be varied only by stipulation of the parties or by order of the Court for good cause shown.
(H) Completion or termination of mediation.
The mediator may terminate the mediation conference after a settlement is reached or when the mediator determines that continuation of the process would be unproductive. After the initial mediation conference, mediation shall continue only by the agreement of the parties, their counsel and the mediator, or by order of the Court. Mediation shall be completed no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the final pre-trial conference date.
(I) Report to the court.
The mediator shall report to the court that the mediation has not occurred, has not been completed, or that the mediation has been completed with or without an agreement on any or all issues. With the consent of the parties, the mediator may also identify those matters which, if resolved or completed, would facilitate the possibility or a settlement.
(J) Agreement.
If an agreement is reached during the mediation conference, it shall be reduced to writing and signed by the parties. The parties shall be responsible for the drafting of the agreement, although the mediator may assist in the drafting of the agreement with the consent of the parties.
(K) Confidentiality.
1. Mediation sessions shall be closed to all persons other than the parties, their legal representatives, and other persons invited by the mediator with the consent of the parties.
2. Mediation shall be regarded as settlement negotiations for purposes of K.R.E. 408.
3. Mediators shall not be subject to process requiring the disclosure of any matter discussed during the mediation, but rather, such matters shall be considered confidential and privileged in nature except on order of the Court for good cause shown. This privilege and immunity reside in the mediator and may not be waived by the parties.
4. Nothing in this rule shall prohibit the mediator from reporting abuse according to KRS 209.030, KRS 620.030, or other applicable law.

Credits

HISTORY: Amended effective June 25, 2009; prior amendment effective May 28, 1998.
Calloway and Marshall Circuit Court Rule VIII, KY R CALLOWAY CIR CT Rule VIII
Current with amendments received through November 15, 2023. Some rules may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document