Can Parties Challenge a Mediation?

Parties to mediation can challenge any agreement resulting from the mediation by bringing a legal action alleging fraud or impropriety in inducing their agreement to a settlement of the underlying dispute.

What is the process for Challenging the mediation agreement?

A successful mediation results in a negotiated settlement between the parties.

This is a formal contract that memorializes the agreed-upon resolution of the legal dispute.

Once the parties enter into this agreement, it takes the place of the underlying dispute.

The parties can no longer pursue litigation for the underlying dispute without breaching this contract.

If, after the settlement agreement is signed, the parties wish to dispute the agreement, they must bring a contract action in court attacking the validity of the agreement.

In this situation, however, the suing party is not suing regarding the underlying dispute but is arguing that the settlement agreement is not valid based upon some contract law principle.

If the party is successful in rescinding (doing away with) the mediation agreement, the parties would be free to litigate the underlying dispute or pursue other forms of ADR.