Category: Mediation: Confidentiality

Mediation and Arbitration Confidentiality: Acquaint Yourself With The EU-U.S. Privacy Shield If You Are Involved With Data Transfers From The EU To The US

The European Commission Has Deemed The Privacy Shield Framework Adequate To Enable Data Transfers To US Under EU Law.      On July 12, 2016, the European Commission adopted the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield.  I am blogging about this because it relates to transfer of data from the EU to the U.S., and this impacts legal matters […]

Mediation, Confidentiality, Family Law: Lacking Mediation Privilege, Unmediated Spousal Settlement Is Set Aside Because Presumption Of Undue Influence Applied

Here’s A Good Example Of Why It Is Harder To Set Aside A Mediated Spousal Settlement Than An Unmediated, Negotiated Settlement.      In Marriage of Cooke, B257791 (2/7 10/17/16) (Segal, J.) (unpublished), the wife moved for entry of a stipulation for judgment that she and her husband signed.  The opinion rather vividly describes the the […]

Choice Of Law/Confidentiality: Ninth Circuit Holds Federal Law Of Privilege Applies To Mediation When Federal Law Law Issues Are Involved At The Time Of The Mediation But Not Afterwards

  Panel Majority Ties Mediation Privilege To Parties’ Expectations At The Time Of The Mediation, Not To Later Time When Federal Claims Were Dismissed.      Timing can be everything.      Where there are federal question claims and pendent state law claims present, the federal law of privilege applies.  Agster v. Maricopa County, 422 F.3d 836, […]

Mediation, Confidentiality: Allegations Of Malpractice In Connection With A Mediation Session Fail For Lack Of An Adequate Record

The Three Immutable Rules Of Appellate Practice.      “When practicing appellate law, there are at least three immutable rules:  first, take great care to prepare a complete record; second, if it is not in the record, it did not happen; and third, when in doubt, refer back to rules one and two.”  Protect Our Water […]

Mediation Confidentiality: How Ironclad?

The Daily Journal Has Provided A Link To Louie Castoria’s Article Entitled “Mediation confidentiality:  a wall against malpractice claims or a sieve?”      Louie Castoria, a partner at Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP, and a mediator, has authored an article suggesting we may take a bit too much for granted about mediation confidentiality, and advocating […]

Mediation Confidentiality: Second District, Division Four, Affirms That There Is No “Attorney Malpractice” Exception To Mediation Confidentiality

Mediation Confidentiality Survived End Of Mediation.      Above:  Whispering.  Masanobu Okumura.  1743.  Library of Congress.      Based on the confidentiality of communications made in the course of mediation, the Court of Appeal affirms a judgment dismissing a complaint for legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty.  Biller v. Faber, No. B244232 (2/4 April 27, 2016) […]

More On Mediation Confidentiality

October 11, 2015 · Mediation: Confidentiality

California Law Revision Commission Revisits Mediation Confidentiality At Its October 8, 2015 Meeting.      I have previously posted about efforts to permit the introduction of evidence currently protected by mediation confidentiality.  See my posts of August 30, 2015, and September 11, 2015.      The California Law Revision Commission met on October 8, 2015, to address […]

Mediation Confidentiality Statutes: An Experienced Mediator Comments On The California Law Revision Commission’s Proposal To Create An Exception To Mediation Confidentiality

September 11, 2015 · Mediation: Confidentiality

Mediator Jill Switzer Comments On The Recent Proposal Before The California Law Revision Commission To Loosen Mediation Confidentiality Statutes.       On August 30, 2015, I posted that on August 7, 2015, the California Law Revision Commission directed staff “to begin the process of preparing a draft of a tentative recommendation that would propose an exception […]

Mediation Confidentiality: California Law Revision Commission Considers Relationship Between Mediation, Confidentiality, Attorney Malpractice, And Other Misconduct

August 30, 2015 · Mediation: Confidentiality, News

Proposed New Exception To Mediation Confidentiality Statutes Would Utilize In Camera Screening Process.      On August 7, 2015, the California Law Revision Commission directed staff “to begin the process of preparing a draft of a tentative recommendation that would propose an exception to the mediation confidentiality statutes (Evid. Code sections 1115-1128) to address ‘attorney malpractice […]

References, Confidentiality: Law Firm May Be Disqualified If It Substitutes Into Case In Which One Of Its Attorneys Participated As A Court Appointed Settlement Officer

The Disqualification Outcome Hinges On Whether The Attorney-Settlement Officer Received Confidential Information      Bird’s-eye view of the Great Wall of China.  Jean E. Norwood, photographer.  1979.  Library of Congress.      Attorney Banuelos participated as a settlement officer on a “CRASH” panel mediating an employee-employer dispute in Los Angeles Superior Court.  “CRASH” stands for “Civil Referee […]