The parties are expected to agree upon a mediator, the amount of the mediator=s fee, and
the responsibility for payment. If the parties are unable to agree on a mediator, then the
parties shall promptly notify the presiding judicial officer. The judicial officer may then
appoint a mediator, set the amount of the mediator’s fee, and assign responsibility for
payment. The parties may request that a judicial officer (who is not the presiding judicial
officer) conduct the mediation. Such requests are particularly appropriate in complex cases
or in cases in which a party is financially unable to bear its proportionate share of the
mediation expense.
