Current through the 2024 Regular Session
Section 7.07.080 - Mediator's disclosure of conflicts of interest-Background(1) Before accepting a mediation, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall: (a) 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; and(b) Disclose any such known fact to the mediation parties as soon as is practical before accepting a mediation.(2) If a mediator learns any fact described in subsection (1)(a) of this section after accepting a mediation, the mediator shall disclose it as soon as is practicable.(3) 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.(4) A person that violates subsection (1) or (2) of this section is precluded by the violation from asserting a privilege under RCW 7.07.030.(5) Subsections (1) through (3) of this section do not apply to an individual acting as a judge.(6) This chapter does not require that a mediator have a special qualification by background or profession.