Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Mediation Agreement Terms

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

MEDIATION AGREEMENT TERMS

This Mediation Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of Effective Date: by and between Participant A: with principal address (hereinafter "Party A"), and Participant B: with principal address (hereinafter "Party B"). Together Party A and Party B are the "Parties."

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to attempt to resolve disputes arising out of or related to their relationship through a private mediation process conducted by a neutral mediator; and

WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to engage Mediator: , whose qualifications include: , to facilitate a structured negotiation; and

WHEREAS, the Parties intend that the mediation be conducted at Location: on Proposed Date: , or on such other date and place as the Parties may mutually agree.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the Parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 "Mediator" means the neutral individual identified above and any alternate mediator agreed in writing by the Parties. The Mediator shall act as a neutral facilitator and not as an arbitrator or adjudicator.

1.2 "Confidential Information" includes all communications, documents, offers, admissions, statements, notes, and records prepared for or disclosed during the mediation, whether oral, written, electronic, or otherwise, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

2. APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORITY

2.1 Each Party hereby appoints the Mediator to assist the Parties in negotiating a resolution of their disputes. The Parties acknowledge that the Mediator's role is limited to facilitation and that the Mediator shall have no authority to impose a decision except as set forth in a signed settlement agreement.

2.2 The Parties agree to cooperate in good faith with the Mediator, attend scheduled sessions, and make a sincere effort to reach a resolution.

3. SCOPE AND PROCEDURES

3.1 The mediation shall encompass all disputes identified in Attachment A or otherwise expressly agreed in writing by the Parties. Each Party may present a written position statement and supporting documents prior to the mediation. A brief description of issues to be mediated may be provided here:

3.2 The Mediator may conduct joint sessions, private caucuses, or other procedures the Mediator deems appropriate. The Mediator may suggest terms of settlement but shall not give legal advice to any Party.

4. FEES, COSTS AND PAYMENT

4.1 The Parties shall pay the Mediator's fee at the rate or flat amount agreed below. Mediator Fee: . Additional expenses (travel, facility rental, copying, and administrative charges) shall be reimbursed as incurred.

4.2 Cost Allocation: The Parties agree that costs and fees will be allocated as follows:

Equal split of mediator fees and shared costs

Other (describe):

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

5.1 Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or required by law, the Parties agree that all mediation communications and Confidential Information are confidential, privileged, and inadmissible in any arbitration, litigation, or administrative proceeding. Confidential Information shall not be disclosed to third parties without the prior written consent of the Party who provided it.

5.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, confidentiality shall not apply to: (a) information that is or becomes publicly known through no wrongful act of a Party; (b) information independently acquired or developed outside the mediation; (c) communications necessary to enforce a signed settlement agreement; or (d) disclosures required by statute, regulation, or a lawful court order, provided that the Party compelled to disclose gives prompt written notice to the other Party and cooperates in seeking protective measures.

5.3 Each Party acknowledges that the Mediator may be required to disclose certain information under applicable ethical rules or to defend against claims of misconduct. The Mediator shall give notice to the Parties if such disclosure becomes necessary.

6. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; PREPARATION

6.1 The Parties shall exchange relevant documents and position statements in advance of the mediation according to the timeline agreed herein: Exchange Deadline: .

6.2 Each Party warrants that any authority exercised by a representative at the mediation will be sufficient to negotiate and recommend a settlement; if required, a Party shall ensure attendance by a person with full settlement authority.

7. SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS

7.1 Any settlement reached will be reduced to a signed written settlement agreement executed by the authorized representatives of the Parties. Except as otherwise agreed in writing, such signed settlement agreement shall be enforceable as a contract and may be filed with a tribunal to be entered as a judgment.

7.2 The Parties acknowledge that statements made during the mediation are made without prejudice and shall not be used as admissions in subsequent proceedings, except to enforce a written settlement or as otherwise required by applicable law.

8. TERMINATION

8.1 This Agreement may be terminated by mutual written agreement of the Parties, by the Mediator if the Mediator determines that further mediation would be futile, or by any Party upon written notice to the other Party. Termination shall not relieve a Party of obligations to pay fees and costs attributable to services performed prior to termination.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; NO WAIVER

9.1 The Mediator and any mediation provider shall not be liable to any Party for any act or omission in connection with the mediation except for willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Parties waive any claims for consequential damages against the Mediator arising from mediation services.

9.2 Failure to insist upon strict performance of any term of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent default or of the term itself.

10. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of State: without regard to conflict of law principles. The Parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in that State for purposes of enforcing a written settlement agreement.

11. NOTICES

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the addresses set forth below:

12. AMENDMENTS

Any amendment or modification to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of each Party. No oral statements or representations shall modify this Agreement.

13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings, and agreements, whether written or oral, relating to the mediation.

14. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

15. COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures transmitted electronically shall be valid and binding.

Party A:

By:

Date:

Party B:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Mediation Agreement Terms Are and why they matter

A Mediation Agreement Terms document records the rules, scope, and outcomes agreed by parties and the mediator for a particular mediation session. It typically covers the dispute description, confidentiality obligations, mediator fees, scheduling, settlement procedures, and whether agreements reached are binding. Well-drafted terms clarify roles and reduce post-mediation disputes by documenting consent, the mediator’s authority, and the treatment of communications. Because mediation frequently intersects with state contract law and confidentiality statutes, parties often formalize these terms in writing to preserve enforceability and to trigger specified timelines or obligations under applicable law.

Why including clear mediation terms reduces risk

A concise set of mediation terms helps ensure mutual understanding about confidentiality, binding effect, costs, and procedural rules, lowering the chance of later disputes about the mediator’s role or the enforceability of settlement outcomes.

Why including clear mediation terms reduces risk

Who commonly completes Mediation Agreement Terms

Finalized terms act as the baseline for session conduct and any settlement documentation that follows; make sure all signatories review before signing.

  • Individual parties and their attorneys preparing procedural and confidentiality provisions prior to mediation.
  • Business representatives and in-house counsel documenting corporate authority, payment obligations, and binding settlement procedures.
  • Professional mediators supplying standard term templates and fee schedules to ensure consistent expectations.

Core elements to include in professional mediation terms

A comprehensive mediation terms document combines procedural rules, confidentiality, decision-making authority, and administrative details to create a clear framework for the mediation process.

Parties

Full legal names and contact details for each party and their representatives so identity and authority are clear.

Dispute Scope

A precise description of the dispute, claims, and any excluded matters to limit later contention over what was mediated.

Confidentiality

Terms specifying confidentiality scope, permitted disclosures, and any statutory exceptions such as required reporting.

Mediator Role

Mediator authority, impartiality acknowledgements, fee arrangements, and procedures for removal or disqualification.

Settlement Effect

Whether mediated agreements are immediately binding, subject to execution of a settlement agreement, or non-binding.

Governing Law

Designated state law for interpretation, and venue for enforcement or related litigation, typically where performance occurs.

Step-by-step: completing Mediation Agreement Terms

Follow this sequence to create and finalize mediation terms consistently and efficiently.

  • 01
    Prepare Draft: Collect party names, dispute details, and mediator fee schedule.
  • 02
    Define Confidentiality: Specify scope, exceptions, and any required disclosures.
  • 03
    Confirm Authority: Verify signatory authority for corporate or fiduciary parties.
  • 04
    Execute and Distribute: All parties sign and receive a fully dated copy with a recorded audit trail.

How to configure a simple digital mediation workflow

Map these fields and settings in your e-signature workflow to streamline distribution and collection of signatures.

Field Configuration
Party Name Required text field; validated against ID when possible
Effective Date Date field; MM/DD/YYYY format enforced
Confidentiality Checkbox Required consent checkbox with disclosure text
Signature Signature field with date; signer email and IP logged

Typical e-signature flow for mediation terms

An online signing workflow reduces turnaround and captures a verifiable audit trail of actions for each signer.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads the mediation terms to the e-sign platform.
  • Place Fields: Sender inserts name, date, and signature fields where required.
  • Send to Signers: Platform emails signing requests or generates secure links.
  • Complete Signing: Signers authenticate, sign, and receive final executed copies.

Digital signing considerations and platform requirements

Ensure chosen integrations (CRM, cloud storage) support secure access controls and comply with any industry-specific privacy obligations.

  • Authentication Options: Email link, SMS code, or stronger ID proofing for elevated assurance
  • Audit Trail: Timestamp, IP, and activity log for each signing step
  • Storage & Export: PDF/A export with embedded audit record and tamper evidence

Common legal risks and potential penalties to watch for

Incorrect Signatory: May void enforcement
Missing Confidentiality: Leads to unintended disclosures
Late Filing: Administrative fines possible
Tax Reporting: Penalties under IRC §6721 apply to incorrect returns
I-9 Violations: Civil fines range by violation
Intentional Misrepresentation: Potential for voiding agreement and liability

Avoidable mistakes when preparing mediation terms

  • Failing to identify the exact dispute scope, which can create post-mediation claims of omission.
  • Using informal or vague confidentiality language that conflicts with statutory exceptions.
  • Not confirming corporate signatory authority before signing, risking later invalidation.
  • Overlooking state-specific notarization or witness requirements that affect enforceability.

Key timelines to include or track when finalizing terms

Document and calendar any dates that trigger performance, deadlines for settlement execution, and expiration of confidentiality protections.

Effective Date:

Date when terms take effect; use MM/DD/YYYY format

Mediation Date:

Scheduled session date and start time

Settlement Execution:

Deadline to execute formal settlement documents

Confidentiality Duration:

If limited, state precise duration (e.g., 5 years)

Record Retention:

Date by which retention obligations expire per policy

Sample e-signature vendor comparison for executing mediation terms

Basic vendor differences in pricing and capability help determine cost and compliance fit for executing mediation terms electronically.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Practical examples of mediation term uses

Two concise scenarios illustrate how mediation terms function in common disputes and the outcomes they enable.

Commercial Contract Dispute

A vendor and purchaser agreed to a limited-scope mediation covering unpaid invoices and delivery dates

  • Mediator fees split equally
  • The parties recorded confidentiality, a 30-day settlement execution deadline, and binding settlement terms to avoid later litigation costs and to permit enforcement if a signed settlement was not delivered.

Employment Separation Matter

An employer and former employee used mediation to resolve termination-related claims

  • Confidentiality protected personnel records
  • The mediation terms specified payment schedule, tax reporting responsibility, and a release to be signed within 14 days, preventing subsequent EEOC litigation over the same facts.

Security and compliance features to include or verify

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Complete timestamp and IP log
Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced proofing
BAA Availability: Required for HIPAA compliance
Retention Controls: Export and archival options
Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA support

Frequently asked questions about Mediation Agreement Terms

Answers to common questions help clarify enforceability, digital signature use, and practical concerns when preparing mediation terms.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users