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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>56472</law_id><section_number>8.01-581.24</section_number><catch_line>Standards and duties of mediators; confidentiality; liability</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><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>A <span class="dictionary">mediator</span> selected to conduct a <span class="dictionary">mediation</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">settlement</span> agreement. A <span class="dictionary">mediator</span> has an obligation to remain impartial and free from conflicts of interest in each case, and to decline to participate further in a case should such partiality or conflict arise. Unless expressly authorized by the disclosing <span class="dictionary">party</span>, the <span class="dictionary">mediator</span> may not disclose to either <span class="dictionary">party</span> information relating to the subject matter of the <span class="dictionary">mediation</span> provided to him in confidence by the other. A <span class="dictionary">mediator</span> shall not disclose information exchanged or observations regarding the conduct and demeanor of the parties and their <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> during the <span class="dictionary">mediation</span>, unless the parties otherwise agree.
		However, where the dispute involves the support of <span class="dictionary">minor</span> children of the parties, the parties shall disclose to each other and to the <span class="dictionary">mediator</span> the information to be used in completing the child support guidelines worksheet required by &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Guideline for determination of child support; quadrennial review by Child Support Guidelines Review Panel; executive summary" href="/20-108.2/">20-108.2</a>. The guidelines computations and any reasons for deviation shall be incorporated in any written agreement by the parties.</p></section></text><history>2002, c. 718.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
