{"data":{"id":"us-vt/12-v.s.a.-5718","jurisdiction":"us-vt","citation":"12 V.S.A. § 5718","heading":"Mediator report; disclosure; background","body":"(a) A mediator may not make a report, assessment, evaluation, recommendation, finding, or other communication regarding a mediation to a court, agency, or other authority that may make a ruling on the dispute that is the subject of the mediation, but a mediator may disclose:\n(1) whether the case is not appropriate for mediation, whether the mediation occurred or has terminated, whether a settlement was reached, and attendance;\n(2) a mediation communication as permitted under section 5717 of this title; or\n(3) a mediation communication evidencing abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult to a public agency responsible for protecting such individuals against such mistreatment.\n(b) A communication made in violation of subsection (a) of this section may not be considered by a court or other tribunal.\n(c) Subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) of this section do not apply to an individual acting as a judge.\n(d) Before accepting a mediation, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall:\n(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 party or foreseeable participant in the mediation; and\n(2) disclose as soon as is practicable before accepting a mediation any such fact known.\n(e) If a mediator learns any fact described in subdivision (d)(1) of this section after accepting a mediation, the mediator shall disclose as soon as is practicable.\n(f) A mediator shall be impartial, unless, after disclosure of the facts required in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, the parties agree otherwise.\n(g) A person who is requested to serve as a mediator shall disclose the mediator’s qualifications to mediate a dispute if requested to do so by a party.\n(h) A person who violates subsection (d), (e), or (f) of this section is precluded from asserting a privilege under section 5715 of this title.\n(i) Unless otherwise required by law, no special qualification by background or profession is necessary to be a mediator under this chapter.","path":["Title 12: Court Procedure","Chapter 194: Uniform Mediation Act"],"source_url":"https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/12/194/05718","current_through":"2025 session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T16:56:27Z","sha256":"a62f64d6561f3e0962f6f201b0de7192a7f8a9a25116558e86bf82db8b03027d","source_id":"us-vt","stale":false,"prev":"us-vt/12-v.s.a.-5717","next":"us-vt/12-v.s.a.-5719"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}