(A) Before accepting a mediation, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall do both of the following:

(1) Make an inquiry that is reasonable under the circumstances to determine whether there are any known facts that a reasonable individual would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the mediator, including a financial or personal interest in the outcome of the mediation and an existing or past relationship with a mediation party or foreseeable participant in the mediation;

(2) Disclose any known fact described in division (A)(1) of this section to the mediation parties as soon as is practical before accepting a mediation.

(B) If a mediator learns any fact described in division (A)(1) of this section after accepting a mediation, the mediator shall disclose it to the mediation parties as soon as is practicable.

(C) At the request of a mediation party, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall disclose the mediator's qualifications to mediate a dispute.

(D) A person that violates division (A), (B), (C), or (G) of this section is precluded from asserting a privilege under section 2710.03 of the Revised Code.

(E) Divisions (A), (B), (C), and (G) of this section do not apply when the mediation is conducted by a judge who might make a ruling on the case.

(F) Sections 2710.01 to 2710.10 of the Revised Code do not require that a mediator have a special qualification by background or profession.

(G) A mediator shall be impartial, unless after disclosure of the facts required to be disclosed by divisions (A) and (B) of this section the parties agree otherwise.

Effective Date: 10-29-2005 .