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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>61439</law_id><section_number>8.01-581.21</section_number><catch_line>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></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="21.2">Mediation</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this chapter:
		&#x201C;Mediation&#x201D; means a process in which a <span class="dictionary">mediator</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">Mediation program</span>&#x201D; means a program through which <span class="dictionary">mediators</span> or mediation is made available and includes the director, agents and employees of the program.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Mediator</span>&#x201D; means an impartial third <span class="dictionary">party</span> selected by agreement of the parties to a controversy to assist them in mediation.</p></section></text><history>1988, cc. 623, 857; 2002, c. 718.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
