Section 160. Continuation, termination, and resolution of mediation

A. Following the orientation session, mediation shall proceed in any manner agreed on by the parties and the mediator in conformance with the provisions of 9VAC20-15-50 through 9VAC20-15-80.

B. Mediation may be terminated through written notice by the permit applicant or the director at any time before settlement is reached.

C. Mediation shall continue if a party other than the permit applicant or the director chooses to opt out of mediation following the orientation session. A party who chooses to opt out of mediation at any time following the orientation session or who, through nonattendance, is conclusively deemed to have dropped out of the dispute resolution procedure shall not be bound by any written settlement agreement resulting from the mediation but shall be bound by the cost provisions of 9VAC20-15-50 and the confidentiality provisions of 9VAC20-15-80.

D. If the mediation is terminated before settlement is reached, the parties shall resume the same status as before mediation and may proceed with the formal adjudication as if mediation had not taken place. The board shall not refer the case to mediation a second time.

E. If the mediation results in settlement, a written settlement agreement shall be signed and dated by each party or by that party's authorized representative.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 17, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 21, eff. July 30, 2015.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1186.3 of the Code of Virginia.