§ 1116 [Scope and Limitations of Mediation Chapter]

Here's a plain English summary of this rule:

This rule makes clear that the mediation privacy rules don't change a judge's power to order people into mediation or other dispute resolution. If a court already had the authority to require this before, that authority stays the same. This rule doesn't add to it or take it away.

The rule also confirms that if people signed a contract agreeing to use mediation, this chapter doesn't affect whether that agreement can be enforced. Courts still decide that issue under other laws.

Finally, this rule doesn't open the door to using evidence that would otherwise be off limits. If something can't be used in court because of settlement talks or other rules, like Section 1152, it still can't be used just because it came up during mediation. The mediation rules don't override other laws about what evidence is allowed.