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13-22-201. Definitions.13-22-202. Notice.13-22-203. Applicability.13-22-204. Effect of agreement to arbitrate - nonwaivable provisions.13-22-205. Application for judicial relief.13-22-206. Validity of agreement to arbitrate.13-22-207. Motion to compel or stay arbitration.13-22-208. Provisional remedies.13-22-209. Initiation of arbitration.13-22-210. Consolidation of separate arbitration proceedings.13-22-211. Appointment of arbitrator - service as a neutral arbitrator.13-22-212. Disclosure by arbitrator.13-22-213. Action by majority.13-22-214. Immunity of arbitrator - competency to testify - attorney fees and costs.13-22-215. Arbitration process.13-22-216. Representation by attorney.13-22-217. Witnesses - subpoenas - depositions - discovery.13-22-218. Judicial enforcement of pre-award ruling by arbitrator.13-22-219. Award.13-22-220. Change of award by arbitrator.13-22-221. Remedies - fees and expenses of arbitration proceeding.13-22-222. Confirmation of award.13-22-223. Vacating award.13-22-224. Modification or correction of award.13-22-225. Judgment on award - attorney fees and litigation expenses.13-22-226. Jurisdiction.13-22-227. Venue.13-22-228. Appeals.13-22-229. Uniformity of application and construction.13-22-230. Savings clause
PART 3 COLORADO DISPUTE RESOLUTION ACT C.R.S. §13-22-301 → §13-22-313 13-22-301. Short title.13-22-302. Definitions.13-22-303. Office of dispute resolution - establishment.13-22-304. Director - assistants.13-22-305. Mediation services.13-22-306. Office of dispute resolution programs - mediators.13-22-307. Confidentiality.13-22-308. Settlement of disputes.13-22-309. Reports. (Repealed)13-22-310. Dispute resolution fund - creation - source of funds.13-22-311. Court referral to mediation - duties of mediator.13-22-312. Applicability.13-22-313. Judicial referral to ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution.
13-22-501. Short title. 13-22-502. Legislative declaration. 13-22-503. Definitions. 13-22-504. Agreement for alternative dispute resolution. 13-22-505. Applicability. 13-22-506. Choice of language. 13-22-507. Immunity.
Source http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
PART 2PART 2 UNIFORM ARBITRATION ACT C.R.S. §13-22-201 → §13-22-230 Effective August 4, 2004.
As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) "Arbitration organization" means an association, agency, board, commission, or other entity that is neutral and initiates, sponsors, or administers an arbitration proceeding or is involved in the appointment of an arbitrator. (2) "Arbitrator" means an individual appointed to render an award, alone or with others, in a controversy that is subject to an agreement to arbitrate.(3) "Court" means a court of competent jurisdiction in this state.(4) "Knowledge" means actual knowledge. (5) "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.
13-22-202. Notice.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this part 2, a person gives notice to another person by taking action that is reasonably necessary to inform the other person in ordinary course, whether or not the other person acquires knowledge of the notice.
13-22-203. Applicability.(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, this part 2 shall govern an agreement to arbitrate made on or after August 4, 2004.
(2) This part 2 shall govern an agreement to arbitrate made before August 4, 2004, if all parties to the agreement or to the arbitration proceeding so agree in a record. 13-22-204. Effect of agreement to arbitrate - nonwaivable provisions.(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a party to an agreement to arbitrate or to an arbitration proceeding may waive, or, the parties may vary the effect of, the requirements of this part 2 to the extent permitted by law.(2) Before a controversy arises that is subject to an agreement to arbitrate, a party to the agreement may not:(a) Waive or agree to vary the effect of the requirements of section 13-22-205 (1), 13-22-206 (1), 13-22-208, 13-22-217 (1) or (2), 13-22-226, or 13-22-228;(b) Agree to unreasonably restrict the right under section 13-22-209 to notice of the initiation of an arbitration proceeding;(c) Agree to unreasonably restrict the right under section 13-22-212 to disclosure of any facts by a neutral arbitrator; or (d) Waive the right under section 13-22-216 of a party to an agreement to arbitrate to be represented by a lawyer at any proceeding or hearing under this part 2, but an employer and a labor organization may waive the right to representation by a lawyer in a labor arbitration.(3) (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), a party to an agreement to arbitrate or arbitration proceeding may not waive, or the parties may not vary the effect of, the requirements of this section or section 13-22-203 (1), 13-22-207, 13-22-214, 13-22-218, 13-22-220 (4) or (5), 13-22-222, 13-22-223, 13-22-224, 13-22-225 (1) or (2), or 13-22-229. (b) If the parties to an agreement to arbitrate or to an arbitration proceeding are a government, governmental subdivision, governmental agency, governmental instrumentality, public corporation, or any commercial entity, the parties may waive the requirements of section 13-22-223 except if the award was procured by corruption or fraud.13-22-205. Application for judicial relief.(1) Except as otherwise provided in section 13-22-228, an application for judicial relief under this part 2 must be made by motion to the court and heard in the manner provided by law or court rule for making and hearing motions.(2) Unless a civil action involving the agreement to arbitrate is pending, notice of an initial motion to the court under this part 2 must be served in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons in a civil action. Otherwise, notice of the motion must be given in the manner provided by law or court rule for serving motions in pending cases. 13-22-206. Validity of agreement to arbitrate.(1) An agreement contained in a record to submit to arbitration any existing or subsequent controversy arising between the parties to the agreement is valid, enforceable, and irrevocable except on a ground that exists at law or in equity for the revocation of a contract.(2) The court shall decide whether an agreement to arbitrate exists or a controversy is subject to an agreement to arbitrate.(3) An arbitrator shall decide whether a condition precedent to arbitrability has been fulfilled and whether a contract containing a valid agreement to arbitrate is enforceable.(4) If a party to a judicial proceeding challenges the existence of, or claims that a controversy is not subject to, an agreement to arbitrate, the arbitration proceeding may continue pending final resolution of the issue by the court, unless the court otherwise orders.
13-22-207. Motion to compel or stay arbitration.(1) On the motion of a person showing an agreement to arbitrate and alleging another person's refusal to arbitrate pursuant to the agreement:(a) If the refusing party does not appear or does not oppose the motion, the court shall order the parties to arbitrate; and(b) If the refusing party opposes the motion, the court shall proceed summarily to decide the issue and order the parties to arbitrate unless it finds that there is no enforceable agreement to arbitrate.(2) On the motion of a person alleging that an arbitration proceeding has been initiated or threatened but that there is not an agreement to arbitrate, the court shall proceed summarily to decide the issue. If the court finds that there is an enforceable agreement to arbitrate, it shall order the parties to arbitrate.(3) If the court finds that there is no enforceable agreement, it may not invoke the provisions of subsection (1) or (2) of this section to order the parties to arbitrate.(4) The court may not refuse to order arbitration because the claim subject to arbitration lacks merit or because one or more grounds for the claim have not been established.(5) If a proceeding involving a claim referable to arbitration under an alleged agreement to arbitrate is pending in court, a motion made under this section shall be filed with that court. Otherwise, a motion made under this section may be filed in any court pursuant to section 13-22-227.(6) If a party files a motion with the court to order arbitration, the court on just terms shall stay any judicial proceeding that involves a claim alleged to be subject to the arbitration until the ordering court renders a final decision under this section.(7) If the court orders arbitration, the court on just terms shall stay any judicial proceeding that involves a claim subject to the arbitration. If a claim subject to the arbitration is severable, the court may limit the stay to that claim.
13-22-208. Provisional remedies.(1) Before an arbitrator is appointed and is authorized and able to act, the court, upon motion of a party to an arbitration proceeding and for good cause shown, may enter an order for provisional remedies to protect the effectiveness of the arbitration proceeding to the same extent and under the same conditions as if the controversy were the subject of a civil action.(2) After an arbitrator is appointed and is authorized and able to act: (a) The arbitrator may issue such orders for provisional remedies, including interim awards, as the arbitrator finds necessary to protect the effectiveness of the arbitration proceeding and to promote the fair and expeditious resolution of the controversy, to the same extent and under the same conditions as if the controversy were the subject of a civil action;(b) A party to an arbitration proceeding may request the court to issue an order for a provisional remedy only if the matter is urgent and the arbitrator is not able to act timely or the arbitrator cannot provide an adequate remedy.(3) A party does not waive a right of arbitration by making a motion under subsection (1) or (2) of this section. 13-22-209. Initiation of arbitration.(1) A person may initiate an arbitration proceeding by giving notice in a record to the other parties to the agreement to arbitrate in the agreed manner between the parties or, in the absence of an agreement, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and obtained, or by service as authorized by law for the commencement of a civil action. The notice shall describe the nature of the controversy and the remedy sought.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, upon the motion of a party to an agreement to arbitrate or to an arbitration proceeding, the court may order consolidation of separate arbitration proceedings as to all or some of the claims if all parties in the arbitration proceedings consent and: (a) There are separate agreements to arbitrate or separate arbitration proceedings between or among the same persons or one of the persons is a party to a separate agreement to arbitrate or a separate arbitration proceeding with a third person; (b) The claims subject to the agreements to arbitrate arise in substantial part from the same transaction or series of related transactions; (c) The existence of a common issue of law or fact creates the possibility of conflicting decisions in the separate arbitration proceedings; and (d) Prejudice resulting from a failure to consolidate is not outweighed by the risk of undue delay or prejudice to the rights of or hardship to parties opposing consolidation. (2) The court may order consolidation of separate arbitration proceedings as to some claims and allow other claims to be resolved in separate arbitration proceedings.(3) The court may not order consolidation of the claims of a party to an agreement to arbitrate if the agreement prohibits consolidation. 13-22-211. Appointment of arbitrator - service as a neutral arbitrator.(1) If the parties to an agreement to arbitrate agree on a method for appointing an arbitrator, the method shall be followed unless the method fails. If the parties have not agreed on a method, or the agreed method fails, or an appointed arbitrator fails to act or is unable to act and a successor has not been appointed, the court, on the motion of a party to the arbitration proceeding, shall appoint the arbitrator. An arbitrator appointed pursuant to this subsection (1) shall have all the powers of an arbitrator designated in an agreement to arbitrate or appointed pursuant to an agreed method. (2) An individual who has a known, direct, and material interest in the outcome of the arbitration proceeding or a known, existing, and substantial relationship with a party may not serve as an arbitrator if the agreement requires the arbitrator to be neutral.
(1) Before accepting an appointment, an individual who is requested to serve as an arbitrator, after making a reasonable inquiry, shall disclose to all parties to the agreement to arbitrate and arbitration proceeding and to any other arbitrators any known facts that a reasonable person would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the arbitrator in the arbitration proceeding, including: (a) A financial or personal interest in the outcome of the arbitration proceeding; and (b) A current or previous relationship with any of the parties to the agreement to arbitrate or the arbitration proceeding, their counsel or representatives, a witness, or another arbitrator. (2) An arbitrator shall have a continuing obligation to disclose to all parties to the agreement to arbitrate and to the arbitration proceeding and to any other arbitrators any facts that the arbitrator learns after accepting appointment that a reasonable person would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the arbitrator.
13-22-213. Action by majority.If there is more than one arbitrator, the powers of an arbitrator shall be exercised by a majority of the arbitrators, except that all of the arbitrators shall conduct the hearing under the provisions of section 13-22-215 (3). 13-22-214. Immunity of arbitrator - competency to testify - attorney fees and costs.(1) An arbitrator or an arbitration organization acting in the capacity of an arbitrator is immune from civil liability to the same extent as a judge of a court of this state acting in a judicial capacity.
(3) The failure of an arbitrator to make a disclosure required by section 13-22-212 shall not cause any loss of immunity that is granted under this section. (4) (a) In a judicial proceeding, administrative proceeding, or other similar proceeding, an arbitrator or representative of an arbitration organization shall not be competent to testify and may not be required to produce records as to any statement, conduct, decision, or ruling that occurred during the arbitration proceeding, to the same extent as a judge of a court of this state acting in a judicial capacity. (b) This subsection (4) shall not apply: (I) To the extent necessary to determine the claim of an arbitrator, arbitration organization, or representative of the arbitration organization against a party to the arbitration proceeding; or (II) To a hearing on a motion to vacate an award under section 13-22-223 (1) (a) or (1) (b) if the movant makes a prima facie showing that a ground for vacating the award exists. (5) If a person commences a civil action against an arbitrator, arbitration organization, or representative of an arbitration organization arising from the services of the arbitrator, organization, or representative, or if a person seeks to compel an arbitrator or a representative of an arbitration organization to testify or produce records in violation of subsection (4) of this section, and the court decides that the arbitrator, arbitration organization, or representative of an arbitration organization is immune from civil liability or that the arbitrator or representative of the organization is not competent to testify, the court shall award to the arbitrator, organization, or representative reasonable attorney fees and reasonable expenses of litigation.
13-22-215. Arbitration process.(1) An arbitrator may conduct an arbitration in a manner that the arbitrator considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the proceeding. The authority conferred upon the arbitrator by this part 2 shall include, but not be limited to, the power to hold conferences with the parties to the arbitration proceeding before the hearing and the power to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality, and weight of any evidence. (2) An arbitrator may decide a request for summary disposition of a claim or particular issue: (a) If all interested parties agree; or (b) Upon request of one or more parties to the arbitration proceeding if that party gives notice to all other parties to the proceeding and the other parties have a reasonable opportunity to respond.
(4) At a hearing under subsection (3) of this section, a party to the arbitration proceeding has a right to be heard, to present evidence material to the controversy, and to cross-examine witnesses appearing at the hearing. (5) If an arbitrator ceases or is unable to act during the arbitration proceeding, a replacement arbitrator shall be appointed in accordance with section 13-22-211 to continue the proceeding and to resolve the controversy.
(1) An arbitrator may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness and for the production of records and other evidence at any hearing and may administer oaths. A subpoena issued under this section shall be served in the manner for service of subpoenas in a civil action and, upon motion to the court by a party to the arbitration proceeding or by the arbitrator, enforced in the manner for enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action. (2) In order to make the proceedings fair, expeditious, and cost effective, upon the request of a party or a witness in an arbitration proceeding, an arbitrator may permit a deposition of any witness to be taken for use as evidence at the hearing, including a witness who cannot be subpoenaed for a hearing or who is unable to attend a hearing. The arbitrator shall determine the conditions under which the deposition is taken.
(1) On motion to an arbitrator by a party to an arbitration proceeding, the arbitrator may modify or correct an award: (a) Upon a ground stated in section 13-22-224 (1) (a) or (1) (c); (b) If the arbitrator has not made a final and definite award upon a claim submitted by the parties to the arbitration proceeding; or (c) To clarify the award.
(4) If a motion to the court is pending under section 13-22-222, 13-22-223, or 13-22-224, the court may submit the claim to the arbitrator to consider whether to modify or correct the award: (a) Upon a ground stated in section 13-22-224 (1) (a) or (1) (c); (b) If the arbitrator has not made a final and definite award upon a claim submitted by the parties to the arbitration proceeding; or (c) To clarify the award.
(1) An arbitrator may award reasonable attorney fees and other reasonable expenses of arbitration if such an award is authorized by law in a civil action involving the same claim or by the agreement of the parties to the arbitration proceeding. (2) An arbitrator's expenses and fees, together with other expenses, shall be paid as provided in the award.
(1) Upon motion to the court by a party to an arbitration proceeding, the court shall vacate an award made in the arbitration proceeding if the court finds that: (a) The award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other undue means; (b) There was: (I) Evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral arbitrator; (II) Corruption by an arbitrator; or (III) Misconduct by an arbitrator prejudicing the rights of a party to the arbitration proceeding; (c) An arbitrator refused to postpone the hearing upon showing of sufficient cause for postponement, refused to consider evidence material to the controversy, or otherwise conducted the hearing contrary to section 13-22-215, so as to prejudice substantially the rights of a party to the arbitration proceeding; (d) An arbitrator exceeded the arbitrator's powers; (e) There was no agreement to arbitrate, unless the person participated in the arbitration proceeding without raising the objection under section 13-22-215 (3) not later than the beginning of the arbitration hearing; or (f) The arbitration was conducted without proper notice of the initiation of an arbitration as required in section 13-22-209 so as to substantially prejudice the rights of a party to the arbitration proceeding. (1.5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the fact that the relief was such that it could not or would not be granted by a court of law or equity is not grounds for vacating or refusing to confirm the award.
(1) Upon motion made within ninety days after the movant receives notice of the award pursuant to section 13-22-219 or within ninety days after the movant receives notice of a modified or corrected award pursuant to section 13-22-220, the court shall modify or correct the award if: (a) There is an evident mathematical miscalculation or an evident mistake in the description of a person, thing, or property referred to in the award; (b) The arbitrator has made an award on a claim not submitted to the arbitrator and the award may be corrected without affecting the merits of the decision upon the claims submitted; or (c) The award is imperfect in a matter of form not affecting the merits of the decision on the claims submitted. (2) If a motion made under subsection (1) of this section is granted, the court shall modify or correct and confirm the award as modified or corrected. Otherwise, unless a motion to vacate is pending, the court shall confirm the award. (3) A motion to modify or correct an award pursuant to this section may be joined with a motion to vacate the award.
(1) An appeal may be taken from: (a) An order denying a motion to compel arbitration; (b) An order granting a motion to stay arbitration; (c) An order confirming or denying confirmation of an award; (d) An order modifying or correcting an award; (e) An order vacating an award without directing a rehearing; or (f) A final judgment entered pursuant to this part 2. (2) An appeal under this section shall be taken in the same manner as an appeal of an order or judgment in a civil action.
(1) An appeal may be taken from: (a) An order denying a motion to compel arbitration; (b) An order granting a motion to stay arbitration; (c) An order confirming or denying confirmation of an award; (d) An order modifying or correcting an award; (e) An order vacating an award without directing a rehearing; or (f) A final judgment entered pursuant to this part 2.
13-22-229. Uniformity of application and construction. In applying and construing this part 2, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
13-22-301. Short title.This part 3 shall be known and may be cited as the "Dispute Resolution Act". 13-22-302. Definitions.As used in this part 3, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) "Arbitration" means the referral of a dispute to one or more neutral third parties for a decision based on evidence and testimony provided by the disputants.(1.3) "Chief justice" means the chief justice of the Colorado supreme court.(1.7) "Director" means the director of the office of dispute resolution.(2) "Early neutral evaluation" means an early intervention in a lawsuit by a court-appointed evaluator to narrow, eliminate, and simplify issues and assist in case planning and management. Settlement of the case may occur under early neutral evaluation.(2.1) "Fact finding" means an investigation of a dispute by a public or private body that examines the issues and facts in a case and may or may not recommend settlement procedures.(2.3) "Med-arb" means a process in which parties begin by mediation, and failing settlement, the same neutral third party acts as arbitrator of the remaining issues.(2.4) "Mediation" means an intervention in dispute negotiations by a trained neutral third party with the purpose of assisting the parties to reach their own solution.(2.5) "Mediation communication" means any oral or written communication prepared or expressed for the purposes of, in the course of, or pursuant to, any mediation services proceeding or dispute resolution program proceeding, including, but not limited to, any memoranda, notes, records, or work product of a mediator, mediation organization, or party; except that a written agreement to enter into a mediation service proceeding or dispute resolution proceeding, or a final written agreement reached as a result of a mediation service proceeding or dispute resolution proceeding, which has been fully executed, is not a mediation communication unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties.(2.7) "Mediation organization" means any public or private corporation, partnership, or association which provides mediation services or dispute resolution programs through a mediator or mediators.(3) "Mediation services" or "dispute resolution programs" means a process by which parties involved in a dispute, whether or not an action has been filed in court, agree to enter into one or more settlement discussions with a mediator in order to resolve their dispute.(4) "Mediator" means a trained individual who assists disputants to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of their disputes by identifying and evaluating alternatives.(4.3) "Mini-trial" means a structured settlement process in which the principals involved meet at a hearing before a neutral advisor to present the merits of each side of the dispute and attempt to formulate a voluntary settlement.(4.5) "Multi-door courthouse concepts" means that form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties select any combination of problem solving methods designed to achieve effective resolution, including, but not limited to, arbitration, early neutral evaluation, med-arb, mini-trials, settlement conference, special masters, and summary jury trials.(5) "Office" means the office of dispute resolution.(6) "Party" means a mediation participant other than the mediator and may be a person, public officer, corporation, partnership, association, or other organization or entity, either public or private. (7) "Settlement conference" means an informal assessment and negotiation session conducted by a legal professional who hears both sides of the case and may advise the parties on the law and precedent relating to the dispute and suggest a settlement.(8) "Special master" means a court-appointed magistrate, auditor, or examiner who, subject to specifications and limitations stated in the court order, shall exercise the power to regulate all proceedings in every hearing before such special master, and to do all acts and take all measures necessary or proper for compliance with the court's order.(9) "Summary jury trial" means summary presentations in complex cases before a jury empaneled to make findings which may or may not be binding.
13-22-303. Office of dispute resolution - establishment.There is hereby established in the judicial department the office of dispute resolution, the head of which shall be the director of the office of dispute resolution, who shall be appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court and who shall receive such compensation as determined by the chief justice.
13-22-304. Director - assistants.The director shall be an employee of the judicial department and shall be responsible to the chief justice for the administration of the office. The director may be but need not be an attorney and shall be hired on the basis of training and experience in management and mediation. The director, subject to the approval of the chief justice, may appoint such additional employees as deemed necessary for the administration of the office of dispute resolution. 13-22-305. Mediation services.(1) In order to resolve disputes between persons or organizations, dispute resolution programs shall be established or made available in such judicial districts or combinations of such districts as shall be designated by the chief justice of the supreme court, subject to moneys available for such purpose. For all office of dispute resolution programs, the director shall establish rules, regulations, and procedures for the prompt resolution of disputes. Such rules, regulations, and procedures shall be designed to establish a simple nonadversary format for the resolution of disputes by neutral mediators in an informal setting for the purpose of allowing each participant, on a voluntary basis, to define and articulate the participant's particular problem for the possible resolution of such dispute.(2) Persons involved in a dispute shall be eligible for the mediation services set forth in this section before or after the filing of an action in either the county or the district court.(3) Each party who uses the mediation services or ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution in section 13-22-313 of the office of dispute resolution shall pay a fee as prescribed by order of the supreme court. Fees shall be set at a level necessary to cover the reasonable and necessary expenses of operating the program. Any fee may be waived at the discretion of the director. The fees established in this part 3 shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the dispute resolution fund created in section 13-22-310.(4) All rules, regulations, and procedures established pursuant to this section shall be subject to the approval of the chief justice.(5) No adjudication, sanction, or penalty may be made or imposed by any mediator or the director.(6) The liability of mediators shall be limited to willful or wanton misconduct.
13-22-306. Office of dispute resolution programs - mediators.In order to implement the dispute resolution programs described in section 13-22-305, the director may contract with mediators or mediation organizations on a case-by-case or service or program basis. Such mediators or mediation organizations shall be subject to the rules, regulations, procedures, and fees set by the director. The tasks of the mediators or mediation organizations shall be defined by the director. The director may also use qualified volunteers to assist in mediation service or dispute resolution program efforts.
13-22-307. Confidentiality. (1) Dispute resolution meetings may be closed at the discretion of the mediator. (2) Any party or the mediator or mediation organization in a mediation service proceeding or a dispute resolution proceeding shall not voluntarily disclose or through discovery or compulsory process be required to disclose any information concerning any mediation communication or any communication provided in confidence to the mediator or a mediation organization, unless and to the extent that: (a) All parties to the dispute resolution proceeding and the mediator consent in writing; or (b) The mediation communication reveals the intent to commit a felony, inflict bodily harm, or threaten the safety of a child under the age of eighteen years; or(c) The mediation communication is required by statute to be made public; or (d) Disclosure of the mediation communication is necessary and relevant to an action alleging willful or wanton misconduct of the mediator or mediation organization.(3) Any mediation communication that is disclosed in violation of this section shall not be admitted into evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding.(4) Nothing in this section shall prevent the discovery or admissibility of any evidence that is otherwise discoverable, merely because the evidence was presented in the course of a mediation service proceeding or dispute resolution proceeding.(5) Nothing in this section shall prevent the gathering of information for research or educational purposes, or for the purpose of evaluating or monitoring the performance of a mediator, mediation organization, mediation service, or dispute resolution program, so long as the parties or the specific circumstances of the parties' controversy are not identified or identifiable.
13-22-308. Settlement of disputes.(1) If the parties involved in a dispute reach a full or partial agreement, the agreement upon request of the parties shall be reduced to writing and approved by the parties and their attorneys, if any. If reduced to writing and signed by the parties, the agreement may be presented to the court by any party or their attorneys, if any, as a stipulation and, if approved by the court, shall be enforceable as an order of the court.(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 91, p. 371, § 5, effective July 1, 1991.)
13-22-310. Dispute resolution fund - creation - source of funds.(1) There is hereby created in the state treasury a fund to be known as the dispute resolution fund, which fund shall consist of:(a) All moneys collected pursuant to section 13-22-305 (3);(b) Any moneys appropriated by the general assembly for credit to the fund; and(c) Any moneys collected by the office from federal grants and other contributions, grants, gifts, bequests, and donations.(2) (a) All moneys in the fund shall be subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly. Any moneys not appropriated shall remain in the fund at the end of any fiscal year and shall not revert to the general fund.(b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) to the contrary, on April 20, 2009, the state treasurer shall transfer the balance of moneys in the dispute resolution fund to the general fund.
13-22-311. Court referral to mediation - duties of mediator.(1) Any court of record may, in its discretion, refer any case for mediation services or dispute resolution programs, subject to the availability of mediation services or dispute resolution programs; except that the court shall not refer the case to mediation services or dispute resolution programs where one of the parties claims that it has been the victim of physical or psychological abuse by the other party and states that it is thereby unwilling to enter into mediation services or dispute resolution programs. In addition, the court may exempt from referral any case in which a party files with the court, within five days of a referral order, a motion objecting to mediation and demonstrating compelling reasons why mediation should not be ordered. Compelling reasons may include, but are not limited to, that the costs of mediation would be higher than the requested relief and previous attempts to resolve the issues were not successful. Parties referred to mediation services or dispute resolution programs may select said services or programs from mediators or mediation organizations or from the office of dispute resolution. This section shall not apply in any civil action where injunctive or similar equitable relief is the only remedy sought.(2) Upon completion of mediation services or dispute resolution programs, the mediator shall supply to the court, unless counsel for a party is required to do so by local rule or order of the court, a written statement certifying that parties have met with the mediator.(3) In the event the mediator and the parties agree and inform the court that the parties are engaging in good faith mediation, any pending hearing in the action filed by the parties shall be continued to a date certain.(4) In no event shall a party be denied the right to proceed in court in the action filed because of failure to pay the mediator.
13-22-312. Applicability.This part 3 shall apply to all mediation services or dispute resolution programs conducted in this state, whether conducted through the office of dispute resolution or through a mediator or mediation organization.
13-22-313. Judicial referral to ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution.(1) Any court of record, in its discretion, may refer a case to any ancillary form of alternative dispute resolution; except that the court shall not refer the case to any ancillary form of alternative dispute resolution where one of the parties claims that it has been the victim of physical or psychological abuse by the other party and states that it is thereby unwilling to enter into ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution. In addition, the court may exempt from referral any case in which a party files with the court, within five days of a referral order, a motion objecting to ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution and demonstrating compelling reasons why ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution should not be ordered. Compelling reasons may include, but are not limited to, that the costs of ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution would be higher than the requested relief and previous attempts to resolve the issues were not successful. Such forms of alternative dispute resolution may include, but are not limited to: arbitration, early neutral evaluation, med-arb, mini-trial, multi-door courthouse concepts, settlement conference, special master, summary jury trial, or any other form of alternative dispute resolution which the court deems to be an effective method for resolving the dispute in question. Parties and counsel are encouraged to seek the most appropriate forum for the resolution of their dispute. Judges may provide guidance or suggest an appropriate forum. However, nothing in this section shall impinge upon the right of parties to have their dispute tried in a court of law, including trial by jury.(2) Ancillary programs may be established, made available, and promoted in any judicial district or combination of districts as designated by the chief judge of the affected district. Rules and regulations for ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution shall be promulgated by the director of the office of dispute resolution.(3) All rules, regulations, and procedures established pursuant to this section shall be subject to the approval of the chief justice.(4) Nothing in this section shall preclude any court from making a referral to mediation services provided for in this article.(5) All referrals under this section shall be made subject to the availability of alternative dispute resolution programs. Parties referred to ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution may select services offered by the office of dispute resolution or by other individuals or organizations.(6) This section shall not apply in any civil action where injunctive or similar equitable relief is the only remedy sought.
13-22-501. Short title.This part 5 shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado International Dispute Resolution Act".
13-22-502. Legislative declaration. The general assembly finds and declares that it is the policy of the state of Colorado to encourage parties to international commercial or noncommercial agreements or transactions to resolve disputes arising from such agreements or transactions, when appropriate, through arbitration, mediation, or conciliation. Therefore, it is the intent of the general assembly that arbitration and ancillary forms of alternative dispute resolution be made available to resolve international disputes.
13-22-503. Definitions.As used in this part 5, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) "Arbitration" means the referral of a dispute to one or more neutral third parties for a decision based on evidence and testimony provided by the disputants.(2) "Conciliation" means all forms of dispute resolution including, but not limited to, arbitration and mediation.(3) "International dispute" means any dispute which involves the following:(a) A dispute between persons who are residents of more than one country or entities which have facilities or operations relevant to the dispute located in more than one country;(b) A dispute in which the parties have expressly agreed that the subject matter relates to interests in more than one country; or(c) A dispute which is otherwise related to interests in more than one country.(4) "Mediation" means an intervention in dispute negotiations by a trained, neutral third party with the purpose of assisting the parties to reach their own solution.
13-22-504. Agreement for alternative dispute resolution.The parties to an international dispute may agree to submit such dispute to arbitration, mediation, or conciliation for resolution of such dispute by means other than by litigation. Such dispute resolution pursuant to this part 5 shall be subject to any treaties or agreements which are in force and effect between the United States and any other country.
13-22-505. Applicability.The provisions of part 2 of this article and sections 13-22-307 and 13-22-308 shall apply to any international dispute submitted to alternative dispute resolution pursuant to this part 5.
13-22-506. Choice of language.The parties to any international dispute submitted for alternative dispute resolution pursuant to this part 5 may agree upon the language or languages to be used in the dispute resolution proceedings.
13-22-507. Immunity.None of the arbitrators, mediators, conciliators, witnesses, parties, or representatives of the parties involved in the arbitration, mediation, or conciliation of an international dispute pursuant to this part 5 shall be subject to service of process on any civil matter while such persons are present in this state for the purpose of participating in the arbitration, mediation, or conciliation of that international dispute.
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