MEDIATION AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES

© Daniel Atkinson 2001 22 December 2001

 

DISCLAIMER:

Parties should seek legal advice before entering into the Mediation Agreement and/or satisfy themselves that the Mediation Agreement is appropriate for resolution of their differences.

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on .....…...….day of.......……..........………year…………….
between (the First Party) ......................................................................................
of: ......................................................................................
and (the Second Party) ......................................................................................
of: ......................................................................................
and (the Third Party if any) ......................................................................................
of: ......................................................................................
(the "Parties")
and: ......................................................................................
of: ......................................................................................
(the "Mediator")

WHEREAS

A. Disputes and differences have arisen between the Parties in connection to works known as:
...................................................................................................................................
(the "Works")
B. The differences and disputes which are referred to this Mediation are:
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(the "Dispute")
C. The Parties may, at any time, agree that additional differences and disputes shall be added to this Mediation, subject to the agreement of the Mediator.  If the agreement is recorded in writing signed by the Representatives and the Mediator, and if the said written agreement specifies the additional differences and disputes, the meaning of Dispute in this Mediation shall be modified and amended to include the specified additional differences and disputes.
D. The Parties wish to resolve the Dispute and enter into this Mediation in good faith and solely in order to achieve settlement of the Dispute by written agreement.

In order to promote communication between the Parties and to facilitate resolution of the Dispute

IT IS NOW AGREED as follows:

Representatives and Participants

1. Each Party is represented in this Mediation by:
Party A:  ..................................................................................................................
Party B:  ..................................................................................................................
(Each the Party’s “Representative” and jointly the “Representatives” )
2. In addition to the Representatives, the following will be present at and/or participate in the Mediation on behalf of each of the Parties:
Party A:  ..................................................................................................................
Party B:  ..................................................................................................................
(Each the Party’s “Participant” and jointly the “Participants” )
3. Each Party’s Representative acts for and on behalf and has the authority to settle the Dispute on behalf of the Party he/she represents.
4. Each Party’s Representative agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and does so on its own behalf, on behalf of the Party he/she represents and on behalf of that Party’s Participant(s).
5. A Party shall notify both the other Party and the Mediator immediately on any change to the above.

Place of Mediation Meeting

6. The Mediation Meeting shall take place at:
.................................................................................................................................

The Conduct of the Mediation

7. This Mediation shall be conducted in accordance with the Mediation Procedure attached (the “Procedure”). The Procedure is incorporated into, and forms part of, this Agreement.

Interpretation

8. This Agreement and the Procedure shall be interpreted and applied in the manner most conducive to the efficient conduct of the proceedings with the primary objective of achieving a settlement of the Dispute by written agreement between the Parties as quickly as possible.

Confidentiality

9. This Mediation process is confidential and considered settlement negotiations for all purposes.
10. The Mediator, the Parties, the Representatives, the Participants and any pupil/observer shall keep strictly confidential
  1. all communications and information (whether given orally, in writing or otherwise) disclosed for, during, or as a result of this Mediation, and
  2. all negotiations or settlement discussions in the course of this Mediation, and
  3. all consultations in relation to the Mediation, and
  4. all the Mediator's oral or written communications with the Parties, Participants and Representatives in this Mediation in a continuing effort to resolve the Dispute.

(the "Confidential Information")

11. Subject to the proviso below, the Confidential Information shall be privileged and not admissible as evidence and not required to be produced in any litigation, arbitration, adjudication or other proceedings whether relating to the Dispute or otherwise arising out of the Works. Provided that Confidential Information otherwise admissible or subject to the requirement to be produced in any proceedings shall not be or become inadmissible or protected from the requirement for production solely by reason of its introduction or use in this Mediation.
12. If one Party discloses information only to the Mediator, the Mediator shall not divulge the information to the other Party, Representatives or Participants without the consent of the Party making the disclosure.
13. The Mediator shall not be called as a witness at any litigation, arbitration, adjudication or other proceedings whether relating to the Dispute or otherwise arising out of the Works and the Mediator shall not be compelled in such proceedings to disclosure any written materials in his/her possession used in or developed for or in the course of this Mediation.
14. The Mediator shall not issue to the Parties, Representatives or the Participants either orally or in writing a report, assessment, evaluation, decision, recommendation, opinion or finding of any kind concerning this Mediation or the Dispute.
15. Neither the Mediator, the Parties, the Representatives nor the Participants may submit either orally or in writing a report, assessment, evaluation, decision, recommendation, opinion or finding of any kind concerning this Mediation to any court, arbitrator, adjudicator or other legal tribunal whether relating to the Dispute or otherwise arising out of the Works.
16. The Parties understand and agree that disclosure of Confidential Information in breach of this Agreement will cause irreparable damage for which monetary damages will be inadequate. Consequently the Parties agree that any Party, Participant or Representative is entitled to obtain an injunction to prevent disclosure of Confidential Information in breach of this Agreement.

Other Proceedings

17. The Mediator shall not represent and/or advise any Party or any Representative or any Participant in any proceedings whether relating to the Dispute or otherwise arising out of the Works.
18. The Mediator shall not be appointed adjudicator or arbitrator in any proceedings whether relating to the Dispute or otherwise arising out of the Works.
19. Any litigation, arbitration or adjudication in relation to the Dispute may be commenced or continued notwithstanding this Mediation unless the Parties agree otherwise.

Termination

20. This Mediation will terminate when:
  1. a Party informs the Mediator that it withdraws from the Mediation; or
  2. for 10 calendar days there is no communication between the Mediator and any Party relating to the Dispute, or
  3. a written settlement agreement is executed which fully resolves the Dispute; or
  4. the Mediator decides at his/her sole discretion that continuing the Mediation is unlikely to result in the execution of a written settlement agreement; or
  5. the Mediator decides at his/her sole discretion that one Party is not acting in good faith.

Mediator’s Fees and Legal Expenses

21. Each Party shall be responsible for payment of an equal share of the fees and expenses of the Mediator, save that the Parties are jointly and severally liable for the whole of said fees and expenses. If any Party fails to make the payment due from him, the other Party may pay the sum to the Mediator and recover the amount from the defaulting Party as a debt due. Payment of the said fees and expenses will be made in accordance with the attached Fee Schedule.
22. Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses of its participation in this Mediation.

The Settlement Agreement

23. Any settlement reached in whole or in part of the Dispute in this Mediation will not be legally binding until it has been reduced to writing and signed by, or on behalf of, the Parties.
24. The Mediator shall, if so requested by the Parties, assist them to prepare the settlement agreement, but the Parties shall have the agreement independently reviewed by its own legal advisors before executing the settlement agreement.
25. If the Mediator signs the settlement agreement, he/she shall only sign as a witness and not as a party to the settlement agreement.

Law and Jurisdiction

26. This agreement shall be governed by, construed and take effect in accordance with, English law. The courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any claim, dispute or matter of difference which may arise out of or in connection with this Mediation.
27. The Mediator acts as a settlement facilitator and not as advocate for any Party. The Parties agree and accept that the Mediator's statements are not legal advice to any Party.
28. The Mediator shall not be liable to the Parties or any person claiming through them for any matter arising out of or in connection with this Mediation or the way in which it is or has been conducted, and the Parties shall not bring or allow to be brought on its behalf any such claims against the Mediator.
Signed on behalf of
First Party
Name: ......................................................................................
Signature: ......................................................................................
Date: ......................................................................................
Second Party
Name: ......................................................................................
Signature: ......................................................................................
Date: ......................................................................................
Third Party ......................................................................................
Name: ......................................................................................
Signature: ......................................................................................
Date: ......................................................................................
Mediator
Name: ......................................................................................
Signature: ......................................................................................
Date: ......................................................................................