A. Administrator. Any county, municipality, or agency of this state that administers a dispute resolution program or center for dispute resolution.

B. Advisory Board. The Dispute Resolution Advisory Board established by 12 O.S.Supp.1985, Section 1803.1 and appointed by the Supreme Court to advise the Director in matters pertaining to the establishment and maintenance of dispute resolution programs.

C. Assisting party. Anyone appearing on behalf or support of a party to mediation.

D. Center. A community-based facility which provides dispute resolution services consisting of: mediation, conciliation, arbitration, facilitation or other forms and techniques of dispute resolution.

E. Program Coordinator. The head of a certified dispute resolution program in this state.

F. Civil action. Every action, other than criminal, is a civil action; see “Criminal action.”

G. Credentials. The minimum requirements, for mediator certification set out in Rule 11, “Qualifying as Mediator”.

H. Criminal Action. The proceeding by which a party is formally charged with a violation of the law of the state of Oklahoma or its political subdivisions.

I. Director. The Administrative Director of the Courts.

J. Initiating Party. The party who first seeks mediation.

K. Initial Interview. The screening process used by mediation programs to determine if a dispute could best be handled by mediation.

L. Mediation. The process of resolving a dispute with the assistance of a mediator outside of a formal court proceeding.

M. Mediator. Any person certified pursuant to the provisions of the Act to assist in the resolution of a dispute.

N. Party. An individual person, company, or governmental agency.

O. Program. A dispute mediation program.

P. Referral. The process by which agencies or individuals direct parties to an appropriate forum for resolution of their disputes.

Q. Resolution. The final determination of the dispute, arrived at by the parties upon their own initiative, or by anyone authorized in writing to act in their behalf, or with the help of a mediator.

R. Responding Party or Respondent. The party who is named by the initiating party as the other party in a dispute where mediation is sought.

S. Sponsoring Agency. Any county, municipality, accredited law school or agency of this state which is responsible for sponsoring the operation of a mediation program.

T. Trainer. A person certified by the Director to train mediators.