Uniform Mediation Act - Overview

• 2710.01, Definitions: Provides pertinent definitions, including "mediation," "mediation communication" and "proceeding."
• 2710.02, Scope: Tells when a mediation does and does not fall under the UMA.
• 2710.03, Who Holds the Privilege: Details the extent of the privilege of the mediation parties, the mediators and the nonparty participants.
• 2710.04, Waiver and Preclusion of the Privilege: Describes how the mediation privilege may be waived and two instances in which an individual is precluded from asserting his privilege.
• 2710.05, Exceptions to the Privilege: Enumerates situations in which there is no privilege for a mediation communication and indicates that where there is no privilege, only the portion of the mediation communication necesary may be admitted.
• 2710.06, Mediator Reporting: Clarifies what a mediator is and is not permitted to disclose in regards to the mediation and the penalty for surpassing the set boundaries.
• 2710.07, Confidentiality: Explains that mediation communications are confidential to the extent agreed to by the parties or as provided in other sections of the Ohio Revised Code.
• 2710.08, Mediator Disclosure: Requires the mediator to disclose conflicts of interest likely to affect impartiality and to be impartial unless the parties agree otherwise. While the mediator need not have any particular qualifications, the mediator must disclose his qualifications at the party's request.
• 2710.09, Who Parties May Bring to the Mediation: Grants parties the power to bring any attorney or individual they desire, even if a waiver of participation had previously been agreed to.
• 2710.10, International Application: Describes the interaction between the UMA and the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.