9-809. MEDIATOR’S DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST — BACKGROUND. (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 or create the appearance of affecting 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 section 9-804, Idaho Code.
(5) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this section do not apply to an individual acting as a judge.
(6) This chapter does not require that a mediator have a special qualification by background or profession.
(7) A mediator must be impartial unless, after disclosure of the facts required in subsections (1) and (2) of this section to be disclosed, the parties agree otherwise.
History:
[9-809, added 2008, ch. 35, sec. 1, p. 70.]