After an action is filed in the court against a healthcare provider alleging medical malpractice, the court shall require the parties to enter into mediation, without discovery or, if all parties agree with only limited discovery that will not interfere with the completion of mediation within 30 days of the Initial Scheduling and Settlement Conference ("ISSC"), prior to any further litigation in an effort to reach a settlement agreement. The mediation schedule shall be included in the scheduling conference order following the ISSC. Unless all parties agree, the stay of discovery shall not be more than 30 days after the ISSC.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the costs of mediation, if any, shall be equally shared by the parties.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807; Mar. 25, 2009, D.C. Law 17-353, §§ 158(b), 257, 56 DCR 1117.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 17-353 validated a previously made technical correction in the section designation.
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
For Law 17-353, see notes following § 16-571.01.
(a) The court shall assign the parties to court-provided mediation and provide a roster of medical malpractice mediators from which the parties may hire an eligible medical malpractice mediator. In the alternative, all parties can agree to hire another individual outside the roster. To be eligible for inclusion in the roster of medical malpractice mediators, an individual shall be a judge or lawyer with at least 10 years of significant experience in medical malpractice litigation.
(b) If the parties cannot agree on the selection of a mediator, the court shall appoint one.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
(a) For the purposes of this section, the term "a representative with settlement authority" means an individual with control of the financial settlement resources for the case and the authority to pledge those resources to settle the case on behalf of a party.
(b) All parties shall personally attend mediation sessions.
(c) If a party is not an individual, a representative with settlement authority for the party shall attend the mediation session.
(d) In cases involving an insurance company, a representative of the company with settlement authority shall attend the mediation session.
(e) Attorneys representing each party with primary responsibility for the case shall attend the mediation session.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
(a) Each party shall submit a confidential mediation statement to the mediator no later than 10 days prior to the initial mediation session. The parties shall not send copies of the mediation statement to the clerk, the assigned judge, or the other parties.
(b) Unless not already stated in the complaint and answer, the mediation statement shall:
(1) Include a brief summary of facts;
(2) Identify the issues of law and fact in dispute and summarize the party's position on those issues;
(3) Discuss whether there are issues of law or fact the early resolution of which could facilitate early settlement or narrow the scope of the dispute;
(4) Identify the attorney who will represent the party at the mediation session and the person with settlement authority who will attend the mediation session;
(5) Include any documents or materials relevant to the case which may assist the mediator and advance the purposes of the mediation session; and
(6) Present any other matters that may assist the mediator and facilitate the mediation.
(c) Mediation statements are intended solely to facilitate the mediation and shall not be filed with the court.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
A mediator's report shall be filed with the court no later than 10 days after the mediation has terminated, informing the court regarding:
(1) Attendance;
(2) Whether a settlement was reached; or
(3) If a settlement was not reached, any agreements to narrow the scope of the dispute, limit discovery, facilitate future settlement, hold another mediation session, or otherwise reduce the cost and time of trial preparation.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
(a) The mediation session shall be confidential. All proceedings at the mediation, including any statement made by any party, attorney, or other participant, shall be privileged and shall not be construed as an admission against interest. Any statement at such proceedings shall not be used in court in connection with the case or any other litigation. A party shall not be bound by anything said or done at the mediation unless a settlement is reached.
(b) A mediator shall not be compelled to provide evidence of a mediation communication in any subsequent trial.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
