{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-576.9.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-576.9.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-576.9.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-576.9.html"}],"law_id":67733,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67733,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.9","catch_line":"Standards and duties of neutrals; confidentiality; liability","history":"1993, c. 905; 1994, c. 687; 2002, c. 718.","full_text":"A neutral selected to conduct a dispute resolution proceeding under this chapter may encourage and assist the parties in reaching a resolution of their dispute, but may not compel or coerce the parties into entering into a settlement agreement. A neutral has an obligation to remain impartial and free from conflict of interests in each case, and to decline to participate further in a case should such partiality or conflict arise. Unless expressly authorized by the disclosing party, the neutral may not disclose to either party information relating to the subject matter of the dispute resolution proceeding provided to him in confidence by the other. In reporting on the outcome of the dispute resolution proceeding to the referring court, the neutral shall indicate whether an agreement was reached, the terms of the agreement if authorized by the parties, the fact that no agreement was reached, or the fact that the orientation session or mediation did not occur. The neutral shall not disclose information exchanged or observations regarding the conduct and demeanor of the parties and their counsel during the dispute resolution proceeding, unless the parties otherwise agree.\n\t\tHowever, where the dispute involves the support of minor children of the parties, the parties shall disclose to each other and to the neutral the information to be used in completing the child support guidelines worksheet required by \u00a7 20-108.2. The guidelines computations and any reasons for deviation shall be incorporated in any written agreement between the parties.\n\t\tWith respect to liability, when mediation is provided by a mediator who is certified pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the Judicial Council of Virginia, then the mediator, mediation program for which the certified mediator is providing services, and a mediator co-mediating with a certified mediator shall be immune from civil liability for, or resulting from, any act or omission done or made while engaged in efforts to assist or conduct a mediation, unless the act or omission was made or done in bad faith, with malicious intent or in a manner exhibiting a willful, wanton disregard of the rights, safety or property of another. This language is not intended to abrogate any other immunity that may be applicable to a mediator.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":245353,"text":"A neutral selected to conduct a dispute resolution proceeding under this chapter may encourage and assist the parties in reaching a resolution of their dispute, but may not compel or coerce the parties into entering into a settlement agreement. A neutral has an obligation to remain impartial and free from conflict of interests in each case, and to decline to participate further in a case should such partiality or conflict arise. Unless expressly authorized by the disclosing party, the neutral may not disclose to either party information relating to the subject matter of the dispute resolution proceeding provided to him in confidence by the other. In reporting on the outcome of the dispute resolution proceeding to the referring court, the neutral shall indicate whether an agreement was reached, the terms of the agreement if authorized by the parties, the fact that no agreement was reached, or the fact that the orientation session or mediation did not occur. The neutral shall not disclose information exchanged or observations regarding the conduct and demeanor of the parties and their counsel during the dispute resolution proceeding, unless the parties otherwise agree.\n\t\tHowever, where the dispute involves the support of minor children of the parties, the parties shall disclose to each other and to the neutral the information to be used in completing the child support guidelines worksheet required by \u00a7 20-108.2. The guidelines computations and any reasons for deviation shall be incorporated in any written agreement between the parties.\n\t\tWith respect to liability, when mediation is provided by a mediator who is certified pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the Judicial Council of Virginia, then the mediator, mediation program for which the certified mediator is providing services, and a mediator co-mediating with a certified mediator shall be immune from civil liability for, or resulting from, any act or omission done or made while engaged in efforts to assist or conduct a mediation, unless the act or omission was made or done in bad faith, with malicious intent or in a manner exhibiting a willful, wanton disregard of the rights, safety or property of another. This language is not intended to abrogate any other immunity that may be applicable to a mediator.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14078,"edition_id":1,"name":"Court-Referred Dispute Resolution Proceedings","identifier":"20.2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:48","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:48","permalink":{"id":278775,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14078,"identifier":"20.2","token":"8.01\/20.2","url":"\/8.01\/20.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67016,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.10","catch_line":"Confidentiality of dispute resolution proceeding","url":"\/8.01-576.10\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.10","metadata":false},{"id":73838,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.11","catch_line":"Effect of written settlement agreement","url":"\/8.01-576.11\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.11","metadata":false},{"id":64310,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.12","catch_line":"Vacating orders and agreements","url":"\/8.01-576.12\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.12","metadata":false},{"id":83325,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.4","catch_line":"Scope and definitions","url":"\/8.01-576.4\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.4","metadata":false},{"id":55196,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.5","catch_line":"Referral of disputes to dispute resolution proceedings","url":"\/8.01-576.5\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.5","metadata":false},{"id":72333,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.6","catch_line":"Notice and opportunity to object","url":"\/8.01-576.6\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.6","metadata":false},{"id":76547,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.7","catch_line":"Costs","url":"\/8.01-576.7\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.7","metadata":false},{"id":72690,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.8","catch_line":"Qualifications of neutrals; referral","url":"\/8.01-576.8\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.8","metadata":false},{"id":67733,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.9","catch_line":"Standards and duties of neutrals; confidentiality; liability","url":"\/8.01-576.9\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72690,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.8","catch_line":"Qualifications of neutrals; referral","url":"\/8.01-576.8\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.8","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-576.9\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1993. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 905 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1993 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1994, chapter 687<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 718<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":78437,"section_number":"20-108.2","catch_line":"Guideline for determination of child support; quadrennial review by Child Support Guidelines Review Panel; executive summary","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-108.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":278809,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67733,"identifier":"8.01-576.9","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.9","url":"\/8.01-576.9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-576.9\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.9","dublin_core":{"Title":"Standards and duties of neutrals; confidentiality; liability","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-576.9","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A neutral selected to conduct a dispute resolution proceeding under this chapter may encourage and assist the parties in reaching a resolution of their dispute, but may not compel or coerce the parties into entering into a settlement<\/span> agreement. A neutral has an obligation to remain impartial and free from conflict of interests<\/span> in each case, and to decline to participate further in a case should such partiality or conflict arise. Unless expressly authorized by the disclosing party<\/span>, the neutral may not disclose to either party<\/span> information relating to the subject matter of the dispute resolution proceeding provided to him in confidence by the other. In reporting on the outcome of the dispute resolution proceeding to the referring court<\/span>, the neutral shall indicate whether an agreement was reached, the terms of the agreement if authorized by the parties, the fact<\/span> that no agreement was reached, or the fact<\/span> that the orientation session or mediation did not occur. The neutral shall not disclose information exchanged or observations regarding the conduct and demeanor of the parties and their counsel<\/span> during the dispute resolution proceeding, unless the parties otherwise agree.\n\t\tHowever, where the dispute involves the support of minor<\/span> children of the parties, the parties shall disclose to each other and to the neutral the information to be used in completing the child support guidelines worksheet required by \u00a7 20-108.2<\/a>. The guidelines computations and any reasons for deviation shall be incorporated in any written agreement between the parties.\n\t\tWith respect to liability, when mediation is provided by a mediator who is certified pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the Judicial Council of Virginia, then the mediator, mediation program for which the certified mediator is providing services, and a mediator co-mediating with a certified mediator shall be immune from civil liability for, or resulting from, any act or omission done or made while engaged in efforts to assist or conduct a mediation, unless the act or omission was made or done in bad faith, with malicious<\/span> intent<\/span> or in a manner exhibiting a willful, wanton disregard of the rights, safety or property of another. This language is not intended to abrogate any other immunity that may be applicable to a mediator.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTANDARDS AND DUTIES OF NEUTRALS; CONFIDENTIALITY; LIABILITY (\u00a7 8.01-576.9)\n\nA neutral selected to conduct a dispute resolution proceeding under this chapter\nmay encourage and assist the parties in reaching a resolution of their dispute,\nbut may not compel or coerce the parties into entering into a settlement\nagreement. A neutral has an obligation to remain impartial and free from\nconflict of interests in each case, and to decline to participate further in a\ncase should such partiality or conflict arise. Unless expressly authorized by\nthe disclosing party, the neutral may not disclose to either party information\nrelating to the subject matter of the dispute resolution proceeding provided to\nhim in confidence by the other. In reporting on the outcome of the dispute\nresolution proceeding to the referring court, the neutral shall indicate whether\nan agreement was reached, the terms of the agreement if authorized by the\nparties, the fact that no agreement was reached, or the fact that the\norientation session or mediation did not occur. The neutral shall not disclose\ninformation exchanged or observations regarding the conduct and demeanor of the\nparties and their counsel during the dispute resolution proceeding, unless the\nparties otherwise agree.\n\t\tHowever, where the dispute involves the support of minor children of the\nparties, the parties shall disclose to each other and to the neutral the\ninformation to be used in completing the child support guidelines worksheet\nrequired by \u00a7 20-108.2. The guidelines computations and any reasons for\ndeviation shall be incorporated in any written agreement between the parties.\n\t\tWith respect to liability, when mediation is provided by a mediator who is\ncertified pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the Judicial Council of\nVirginia, then the mediator, mediation program for which the certified mediator\nis providing services, and a mediator co-mediating with a certified mediator\nshall be immune from civil liability for, or resulting from, any act or omission\ndone or made while engaged in efforts to assist or conduct a mediation, unless\nthe act or omission was made or done in bad faith, with malicious intent or in a\nmanner exhibiting a willful, wanton disregard of the rights, safety or property\nof another. This language is not intended to abrogate any other immunity that\nmay be applicable to a mediator.\n\nHISTORY: 1993, c. 905; 1994, c. 687; 2002, c. 718.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}