Rule 15 Costs of Mediation & Financial Requirements
Rule Text
(a) Equal Cost Sharing. The parties shall bear all costs of mediation in equal proportions, unless otherwise agreed between the parties and the mediator or ordered by the court based upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances.
(b) Limitation on Gift-Giving. Within the time between the issuance of an order requiring mediation and the time of completion of such mediation, gifts shall not be given to mediators without the written consent of all parties.
(c) Direct Compensation. The parties shall directly compensate mediators for fees and costs.
(d) Mediation Fee. Costs of mediation in addition to mediator fees may include only:
(1) reasonable expenses incurred by the mediator;
(2) reasonable expenses incurred by witnesses requested by the mediator with consent of the parties; and
(3) fees and costs of experts whose advice was requested by the mediator with consent of the parties.
(e) Financial Accommodation. A party may request and the court may grant a financial accommodation in accordance with the provisions of Rule 17.
(f) Request for Court-Ordered Fee Payment. The mediator may request a court order requiring the payment of fees and costs by the party who failed to pay in a timely manner. The court may order a nonpaying party to provide payment and may impose sanctions. If mediation is not completed by the Mediation Completion Date as a result of a party’s failure to provide payment to a mediator, the court may impose sanctions pursuant to Rule 24.
(g) Court Disclaimer. The court is not responsible for the payment or collection of mediator fees or costs.