(A) By Agreement. When the mediator is stipulated to by the parties,
compensation shall be agreed upon between the parties and the mediator.
(B) By Court Order. When the mediator is appointed by the court, the mediator
shall be compensated by the parties at an hourly rate set by agreement of the
parties or by the appointing court.
(C) Payment of Compensation by the Parties. Unless otherwise agreed to by the
parties or ordered by the court, fees for the mediation conference shall be
paid in equal shares per party. Payment shall be due upon conclusion of the
conference unless other arrangements are made with the mediator, or unless
a party advises the mediator of his or her intention to file a motion to be
exempted from payment of mediation fees pursuant to Local Civ. Rule
16.11(D) (D.S.C.).
(D) Indigent Cases. A party may move before the court to be exempted from
payment of mediation fees based upon indigency. Applications for
indigency shall be made and considered by the court before the mediation
conference has been scheduled. See Local Civ. Rule 16.12(F) (D.S.C.).
