Ohio Code 2710.08 – Inquiry by proposed mediator – disclosures – qualifications – impartiality
(A) Before accepting a mediation, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall do both of the following:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 2710.08
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
(1) Make an inquiry that is reasonable under the circumstances to determine whether there are any known facts that a reasonable individual would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the mediator, including a financial or personal interest in the outcome of the mediation and an existing or past relationship with a mediation party or foreseeable participant in the mediation;
(2) Disclose any known fact described in division (A)(1) of this section to the mediation parties as soon as is practical before accepting a mediation.
(B) If a mediator learns any fact described in division (A)(1) of this section after accepting a mediation, the mediator shall disclose it to the mediation parties as soon as is practicable.
(C) At the request of a mediation party, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall disclose the mediator’s qualifications to mediate a dispute.
(D) A person that violates division (A), (B), (C), or (G) of this section is precluded from asserting a privilege under section 2710.03 of the Revised Code.
(E) Divisions (A), (B), (C), and (G) of this section do not apply when the mediation is conducted by a judge who might make a ruling on the case.
(F) Sections 2710.01 to 2710.10 of the Revised Code do not require that a mediator have a special qualification by background or profession.
(G) A mediator shall be impartial, unless after disclosure of the facts required to be disclosed by divisions (A) and (B) of this section the parties agree otherwise.