19-13A-2. Definitions.

In this chapter:

(1)    "Mediation" means a process in which a mediator facilitates communication and negotiation between parties to assist them in reaching a voluntary agreement regarding their dispute.

(2)    "Mediation communication" means a statement, whether oral or in a record or verbal or nonverbal, that occurs during a mediation or is made for purposes of considering, conducting, participating in, initiating, continuing, or reconvening a mediation or retaining a mediator.

(3)    "Mediator" means an individual who conducts a mediation.

(4)    "Nonparty participant" means a person, other than a party or mediator, that participates in a mediation.

(5)    "Mediation party" means a person that participates in a mediation and whose agreement is necessary to resolve the dispute.

(6)    "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government; governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(7)    "Proceeding" means:

(A)    a judicial, administrative, arbitral, or other adjudicative process, including related pre-hearing and post-hearing motions, conferences, and discovery; or

(B)    a legislative hearing or similar process.

(8)    "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(9)    "Sign" means:

(A)    to execute or adopt a tangible symbol with the present intent to authenticate a record; or

(B)    to attach or logically associate an electronic symbol, sound, or process to or with a record with the present intent to authenticate a record.

Source: SL 2008, ch 286 (Supreme Court Rule 07-07), eff. Jan. 1, 2008.