


Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules ~

Court Rules
Reorganized California Rules Of Court
Rule 3.867 Title 3. Civil Rules Division 8. Alternative Dispute Resolution Chapter 3. General Rules Relating to Mediation of Civil Cases Article 2. Rules of Conduct for Mediators in Court-Connected Mediation Programs for Civil Cases As amended through April 1, 2007 Rule 3.867. Confidentiality of complaint procedures, information, and records. (a) This rule's requirement that rule 3.865 complaint procedures be confidential is intended to: (1) Preserve the confidentiality of mediation communications as required by Evidence Code sections 1115-1128; (2) Promote cooperation in the reporting, investigation, and resolution of complaints about mediators on court panels; and (3) Protect mediators against damage to their reputations that might result from unfounded complaints against them. (b) All procedures for receiving, investigating, and resolving inquiries or complaints about the conduct of mediators must be designed to preserve the confidentiality of mediation communications, including but not limited to the confidentiality of any communications between the mediator and individual mediation participants or subgroups of mediation participants. (c) All communications, inquiries, complaints, investigations, procedures, deliberations, and decisions about the conduct of a mediator under rule 3.865 must occur in private and must be kept confidential. No information or records concerning the receipt, investigation, or resolution of an inquiry or a complaint under rule 3.865 may be open to the public or disclosed outside the course of the rule 3.865 complaint procedure except as provided in (d) or as otherwise required by law. (d) The presiding judge or a person designated by the presiding judge for this purpose may, in his or her discretion, authorize the disclosure of information or records concerning rule 3.865 complaint procedures that do not reveal any mediation communications, including the name of a mediator against whom action has been taken under rule 3.865, the action taken, and the general basis on which the action was taken. In determining whether to authorize the disclosure of information or records under this subdivision, the presiding judge or designee should consider the purposes of the confidentiality of rule 3.865 complaint procedures stated in (a)(2) and (a)(3). (e) In determining whether the disclosure of information or records concerning rule 3.865 complaint procedures is required by law, courts should consider the purposes of the confidentiality of rule 3.865 complaint procedures stated in (a). Before the disclosure of records concerning procedures under rule 3.865 is ordered, notice should be given to any person whose mediation communications may be revealed. History. Rule 3.867 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1622.2 effective January 1, 2006.