Rule 27 - Expenses of the mediation and conciliation

Expenses of mediation and conciliation must be fixed, shared equally, and secured by party deposits before commencement.

Rule 27 provides that the referring authority may fix a consolidated mediator or conciliator fee, and that mediation and conciliation expenses - including mediator fees, administrative and ancillary costs - are to be borne equally by the contesting parties unless otherwise directed. Parties must bear costs for producing their own witnesses and documents. The mediator may require equal deposits of probable costs before commencement; nonpayment permits the referring authority to issue directions and causes the proceedings to be deemed terminated if deposits are not made.