13.Territorial jurisdiction to undertake mediation.—Every mediation under this Act shall be undertaken within the territorial jurisdiction of the court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction to decide the subject matter of dispute: Provided that on the mutual consent of the parties, mediation may be conducted at any place outside the territorial jurisdiction of the court or tribunal, or by way of online mediation. Explanation.— For the removal of doubts, it is clarified that where the parties agree to conduct the mediation at any place outside the territorial jurisdiction or online, for the purpose of enforcement, challenge and registration of the mediated settlement agreement, the same shall be deemed to have been undertaken within the territorial jurisdiction of the court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.
14. Commencement of mediation.—The mediation proceedings with respect to a particular dispute shall be deemed to have commenced— (a) where there is an existing agreement between the parties to settle the dispute through mediation, the date on which a party or parties receives notice from the party initiating the mediation, to refer such dispute to mediation; or (b) in other cases— (i) where the parties have agreed to appoint a mediator of their choice for mediation and settlement of disputes between them on the date the mediator provides his consent to appointment; or (ii) where one of the parties applies to a mediation service provider for settlement of disputes through mediation, the date of appointment of a mediator.
15. Conduct of mediation.—(1) The mediation process shall be conducted in the manner as may be specified. (2) The mediator shall assist the parties in an independent, neutral and impartial manner in their attempt to reach an amicable settlement of their dispute. (3) The mediator shall at all times be guided by the principles of objectivity and fairness and protect the voluntariness, confidentiality and self-determination of the parties, and the standards for professional and ethical conduct as may be specified. (4) The mediation process may include the mediator taking such measures as may be considered appropriate, taking into account the circumstances of the case, including meeting with parties or participants, jointly or separately, as frequently as deemed fit by the mediator, both in order to convene the mediation, and during the mediation for the orderly and timely conduct of the process and to maintain its integrity. (5) The mediator shall not be bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872). 10 (6) The mediator with the consent of the parties shall determine the language or languages to be used in the mediation process.
16. Role of mediator.—(1) The mediator shall attempt to facilitate voluntary resolution of the dispute by the parties and communicate the view of each party to the other to the extent agreed to by them, assist them in identifying issues, advancing better understanding, clarifying priorities, exploring areas of the responsibility of the parties to take decision regarding their claims. (2) The parties shall be informed expressly by the mediator that he only facilitates in arriving at a decision to resolve a dispute and that he shall not impose any settlement nor give any assurance that the mediation may result in a settlement.
17. Role of mediator in other proceedings.—The mediator shall not— (a) act as an arbitrator or as a representative or counsel of a party in any arbitral or judicial proceeding in respect of a dispute that is the subject matter of the mediation proceedings; (b) be presented by the parties as a witness in any arbitral or judicial proceeding.
18. Time-limit for completion of mediation.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, mediation under this Act shall be completed within a period of one hundred and twenty days from the date fixed for the first appearance before the mediator. (2) The period for mediation mentioned under sub-section (1) may be extended for a further period as agreed by the parties, but not exceeding sixty days.
19. Mediated settlement agreement.—(1) A mediated settlement agreement includes an agreement in writing between some or all of the parties resulting from mediation, settling some or all of the disputes between such parties, and authenticated by the mediator: Provided that the terms of the mediated settlement agreement may extend beyond the disputes referred to mediation. Explanation.— A mediated settlement agreement which is void under the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (9 of 1872), shall not be deemed to be lawful settlement agreement within the meaning of mediated settlement agreement. (2) Where a mediated settlement agreement is reached between the parties with regard to all or some of the disputes, the same shall be reduced in to writing and signed by the parties. (3) Subject to the provisions of section 26, the mediated settlement agreement signed,— (i) in case of institutional mediation, shall be submitted to the mediator, who shall, after authenticating the same, forward it with a covering letter signed by him, to the mediation service provider and also provide a copy to the parties; (ii) in all other cases, shall be submitted to the mediator who shall, after authenticating the mediated settlement agreement, provide a copy to all the parties. (4) The parties, may, at any time during the mediation process, make an agreement with respect to any of the disputes which is the subject matter of mediation. (5) Any mediated settlement agreement under this section includes a settlement agreement resulting from online mediation.
20. Registration of mediated settlement agreement.—(1) For the purposes of record, mediated settlement agreement arrived at between the parties, other than those arrived in a court or tribunal referred mediation or award of Lok Adalat or final award of the Permanent Lok Adalat under section 21 or section 22E of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (39 of 1987), may, at the option of parties, be registered with an Authority constituted under the said Act, or any other body as may be notified by the Central Government, in such manner as may be specified and such Authority or body shall issue a unique registration number to such settlement agreements: 11 Provided that the mediated settlement agreement under this section may be registered with such Authority or the body situated within the territorial jurisdiction of the court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction to decide the subject matter of dispute. Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is clarified that nothing contained in this sub-section shall affect the rights of parties to enforce the mediated settlement agreement under section 27 or challenge the same under section 28. (2) The registration referred to in sub-section (1) may be made by the parties or mediation service provider within a period of one hundred and eighty days from the date of receipt of authenticated copy of mediated settlement agreement: Provided that mediated settlement agreement may be allowed to be registered after the expiry of period of one hundred and eighty days on payment of such fee as may be specified in consultation with the Authority or any other body referred to in sub-section (1).
21. Non-settlement report.—Subject to the provisions of section 26, where no agreement is arrived at between the parties, within the time period as provided under section 18, or where, the mediator is of the view that no settlement is possible, he shall, — (i) in the case of institutional mediation, submit a non-settlement report to the mediation service provider in writing; (ii) in all other cases, prepare a non-settlement report and provide a signed copy to all the parties: Provided that the report referred to in this section shall not disclose the cause of non- settlement, or any other matter or thing referring to their conduct, during mediation.
22. Confidentiality.—(1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the mediator, mediation service provider, the parties and participants in the mediation shall keep confidential all the following matters relating to the mediation proceedings, namely: — (i) acknowledgements, opinions, suggestions, promises, proposals, apologies and admissions made during the mediation; (ii) acceptance of, or willingness to, accept proposals made or exchanged in the mediation; (iii) documents prepared solely for the conduct of mediation or in relation thereto; (iv) any other mediation communication. (2) No audio or video recording of the mediation proceedings shall be made or maintained by the parties or the participants including the mediator and mediation service provider, whether conducted in person or online to ensure confidentiality of the conduct of mediation proceedings. (3) No party to the mediation shall in any proceeding before a court or tribunal including arbitral tribunal, rely on or introduce as evidence any information or communication set forth in clauses (i) to (iv) of sub-section (1), including any information in electronic form, or verbal communication and the court or tribunal including arbitral tribunal shall not take cognizance of such information or evidence. (4) The provisions of this section shall not prevent the mediator from compiling or disclosing general information concerning matters that have been subject of mediation, for research, reporting or training purposes, if the information does not expressly or indirectly identify a party or participants or the specific disputes in the mediation. Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that nothing contained in this section shall apply to the mediated settlement agreement where its disclosure is necessary for the purpose of registration, enforcement and challenge.
23. Admissibility and privilege against disclosure.—(1) No mediator or participant in the mediation, including experts and advisers engaged for the purpose of the mediation and persons involved in the administration of the mediation, shall at any time be permitted, or compelled to disclose to any court or tribunal, or in any adjudicatory proceedings, by whatever description, any communication in mediation, or to state the contents or conditions of any document or nature or 12 conduct of parties during mediation including the content of negotiations or offers or counter offers with which they have become acquainted during the mediation: Provided that nothing in this section and section 22 shall protect from disclosure, information sought or provided to prove or dispute a claim or complaint of professional misconduct of mediator or malpractice based on conduct occurring during the mediation. (2) There shall be no privilege or confidentiality that will attach to— (a) a threat or statement of a plan to commit an offence punishable under any law for the time being in force; (b) information relating to domestic violence or child abuse; and (c) statements made during a mediation showing a significant imminent threat to public health or safety.
24. Termination of mediation.—The mediation proceedings under this Act shall be deemed to terminate— (a) on the date of signing and authentication of the mediated settlement agreement; or (b) on the date of the written declaration of the mediator, after consultation with the parties or otherwise, to the effect that further efforts at mediation are no longer justified; or (c) on the date of the communication by a party or parties in writing, addressed to the mediator and the other parties to the effect that the party wishes to opt out of mediation; (d) on the expiry of time limit under section 18.
25. Cost of mediation.—(1) The cost of mediation, other than community mediation shall be such as may be specified. (2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, all costs of mediation, including the fees of the mediator and the charges of the mediation service provider shall be borne equally by the parties.
26. Proceedings of Lok Adalat and Permanent Lok Adalat not to be affected.—The provisions of this Act shall not apply to the proceedings conducted by Lok Adalat and Permanent Lok Adalat under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (39 of 1987).