Good Offices, Conciliation and Mediation 1. Good offices, conciliation and mediation are procedures that are undertaken voluntarily if the parties to the dispute so agree.
Conciliation 1. The disputing parties may at any time agree to conciliation, which may begin at any time and be terminated at the request of the disputing investor at any time.
Mediation Services If we are unable to resolve the problem, then either party can contact the Department of Labour Mediation Service (a government department) for free assistance. The mediator will try to help us resolve the problem, but won’t make a decision as to who is right or wrong unless both parties want this.
Legal Services If this Agreement is for legal services, this section is applicable. Contractor shall: (i) adhere to legal cost and billing guidelines designated by the JBE; (ii) adhere to litigation plans designated by the JBE, if applicable; (iii) adhere to case phasing of activities designated by the JBE, if applicable; (iv) submit and adhere to legal budgets as designated by the JBE; (v) maintain legal malpractice insurance in an amount not less than the amount designated by the JBE; and (vi) submit to legal bill audits and law firm audits if so requested by the JBE, whether conducted by employees or designees of the JBE or by any legal cost-control provider retained by the JBE for that purpose. Contractor may be required to submit to a legal cost and utilization review as determined by the JBE. If (a) the Contract Amount is greater than $50,000, (b) the legal services are not the legal representation of low- or middle-income persons, in either civil, criminal, or administrative matters, and (c) the legal services are to be performed within California, then Contractor agrees to make a good faith effort to provide a minimum number of hours of pro xxxx legal services, or an equivalent amount of financial contributions to qualified legal services projects and support centers, as defined in section 6213 of the Business and Professions Code, during each year of the Agreement equal to the lesser of either (A) thirty (30) multiplied by the number of full time attorneys in the firm’s offices in California, with the number of hours prorated on an actual day basis for any period of less than a full year or (B) the number of hours equal to ten percent (10%) of the Contract Amount divided by the average billing rate of the firm. Failure to make a good faith effort may be cause for nonrenewal of this Agreement or another judicial branch or other state contract for legal services, and may be taken into account when determining the award of future contracts with a Judicial Branch Entity for legal services.
Conduct of Mediation Sessions Mediation hearings will be conducted in an informal manner and discovery will not be allowed. The discussions, statements, writings and admissions will be confidential to the proceedings (pursuant to California Evidence Code sections 1115 through 1128) and will not be used for any other purpose unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing. The parties may agree to exchange any information they deem necessary. Both parties shall have a representative attend the mediation who is authorized to settle the dispute, though City's recommendation of settlement may be subject to the approval of the Mayor and City Council. Either party may have attorneys, witnesses or experts present.