(a) The mediator shall have the power to:
(1) Hold joint or separate meetings with the participants;
(2) obtain the counsel of other experts regarding the technical matters of the controversy, upon his/her own initiative or at the request of any of the parties, and require the payment of such services, provided the parties are consulted prior to the contracting;
(3) keep order in the mediation procedure and require the participants to comply with the rules of mediation agreed on at the beginning of the process;
(4) provide for the rules of procedure that he/she deems appropriate to expedite the achievement of the objectives of the mediation, subject to the rules of procedure approved by the Administrator;
(5) postpone the sessions as he/she may deem appropriate or pertinent taking into account the interests of the parties, and
(6) terminate the mediation at any moment, pursuant to the criteria, conditions, and procedure[s] established in the regulations approved by the Administrator.
(b) The mediator has no authority to compel the parties in controversy to reach any specific agreement.
(c) The mediator shall maintain an impartial position towards all parties involved in the controversy. He/she shall help all parties equally to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement without advocating the interests of any of the parties in the process for the solution of the dispute.
History —Aug. 12, 2000, No. 168, added as § 15 on Aug. 17, 2002, No. 193, § 18.