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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>83325</law_id><section_number>8.01-576.4</section_number><catch_line>Scope and definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>10.1-1186.3</reference><reference>20-124.4</reference><reference>4.1-103.03</reference><reference>4.1-605</reference><reference>58.1-3965</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.01">Civil Remedies and Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="20.2">Court-Referred Dispute Resolution Proceedings</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The provisions of this chapter apply only to <span class="dictionary">court</span>-referred <span class="dictionary">dispute resolution services</span>.
		As used in this chapter:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Conciliation</span>&#x201D; means a process in which a <span class="dictionary">neutral</span> facilitates <span class="dictionary">settlement</span> by clarifying <span class="dictionary">issues</span> and serving as an intermediary for negotiations in a manner which is generally more informal and less structured than <span class="dictionary">mediation</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Court</span>&#x201D; means any juvenile and domestic relations district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, general district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span>, or <span class="dictionary">appellate</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span>, and includes the <span class="dictionary">judges</span> and any <span class="dictionary">intake specialist</span> to whom the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> has delegated specific authority under this chapter.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Dispute resolution proceeding</span>&#x201D; means any structured process in which a <span class="dictionary">neutral</span> assists disputants in reaching a voluntary <span class="dictionary">settlement</span> by means of dispute resolution techniques such as <span class="dictionary">mediation</span>, <span class="dictionary">conciliation</span>, early <span class="dictionary">neutral</span> evaluation, nonjudicial <span class="dictionary">settlement</span> conferences or any other proceeding leading to a voluntary <span class="dictionary">settlement</span> conducted consistent with the requirements of this chapter. The term includes the <span class="dictionary">orientation session</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Dispute resolution program</span>&#x201D; means a program that offers <span class="dictionary">dispute resolution services</span> to the public, which is run by the Commonwealth or any private for-profit or not-for-profit organization, political subdivision, or public corporation, or a combination of these.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Dispute resolution services</span>&#x201D; includes screening and intake of disputants, conducting <span class="dictionary">dispute resolution proceedings</span>, drafting agreements and providing information or referral services.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Intake specialist</span>&#x201D; means an individual who is trained in analyzing and screening cases to assist in determining whether a case is appropriate for referral to a <span class="dictionary">dispute resolution proceeding</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Mediation</span>&#x201D; means a process in which a <span class="dictionary">neutral</span> facilitates communication between the parties and, without deciding the <span class="dictionary">issues</span> or imposing a solution on the parties, enables them to understand and to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to their dispute.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Neutral</span>&#x201D; means an individual who is trained or experienced in conducting <span class="dictionary">dispute resolution proceedings</span> and in providing <span class="dictionary">dispute resolution services</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Orientation session</span>&#x201D; means a preliminary meeting during which the <span class="dictionary">dispute resolution proceeding</span> is explained to the parties and the parties and the <span class="dictionary">neutral</span> assess the case and decide whether to continue with a <span class="dictionary">dispute resolution proceeding</span> or adjudication.</p></section></text><history>1993, c. 905; 2002, c. 718.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
