(a) An agency may encourage parties to a contested case hearing under this chapter to participate in mediation prior to the hearing subject to conditions imposed by the agency in rules adopted in accordance with this chapter. The agency may suspend all further proceedings in the contested case pending the outcome of the mediation.
Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 91-8.5
Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
(b) No mediation period under this section shall exceed thirty days from the date the case is referred to mediation, unless otherwise extended by the agency.(c) The parties may jointly select a person to conduct the mediation. If the parties are unable to jointly select a mediator within ten days of the referral to mediation, the agency shall select the mediator. All costs of the mediation shall be borne equally by the parties unless otherwise agreed, ordered by the agency, or provided by law.(d) No mediation statements or settlement offers tendered shall be admitted into any subsequent proceedings involving the case, including the contested case hearing or a court proceeding.(e) No preparatory meetings, briefings, or mediation sessions under this section shall constitute a meeting under § 92-2. Any mediator notes under this section shall be exempt from section 92-21 and chapter 92F. Section evidence; official notice” class=”unlinked-ref” datatype=”S” sessionyear=”2019″ statecd=”HI”>91-10 shall not apply to mediation proceedings.
