The Confidential Listener Technique

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From the First Mediation Blog of Jeff Krivis and Mariam Zadeh.

This is the technique suggested by John DeGroote of Settlement Perspectives which is used as a quick, confidential method to determine proximity of settlement positions. While the technique is situational and can vary with each case, generally speaking each party submits its best offer in confidence to the neutral third party (”the confidential listener”), who informs the parties whether their proposals are within a negotiable range. Generally, and absent specific authorization from the proposer, the confidential listener does not relay one side’s confidential proposal to the other.

The parties will normally agree in advance that if the sums overlap, with the plaintiff citing the lower figure, they will settle at a level that splits the difference. If the cited figures are within a specified range of each other, e.g. ten percent, the parties may direct the neutral to so inform them and help them narrow the gap. If the figures are not within the set range, the parties may repeat the process, or the confidential listener can make a mediator’s proposal.

Here is a form agreement offered by the CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution:

AGREEMENT made    , 2009

between XXX  of  XXX

represented by  XXX   and of

 

epresented by XXX.

 

A dispute has arisen between the parties. The parties have agreed to attempt to resolve their dispute through the private process described in this agreement.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:

1.    THE NEUTRAL LISTENING PROCESS

      1.1.  Selection. The Neutral Listener shall be _______________ who has agreed to serve and whose compensation has been agreed upon by the parties and the Neutral Listener.

      1.2.  Submission of Settlement Proposals.

      1.3.  Role of the Neutral Listener. The Neutral Listener will promptly review the settlement proposals submitted by each party and thereupon will inform the parties whether their settlement offers are:

       substantially similar or overlap, or

       within a range which the Neutral Listener considers negotiable.

2.    CONFIDENTIALITY

      2.1.  Confidentiality of Settlement Proposals. Unless the parties otherwise agree, the Neutral Listener shall not disclose the settlement positions revealed by the parties, nor will the Neutral Listener reveal the basis for his/her determination that settlement negotiations should or should not commence.

      2.2.  Confidentiality of Settlement Process. The Neutral Listening process is a compromise negotiation for purposes of the Federal Rules of Evidence and state rules of evidence. The substance of this process shall be kept confidential by all parties and the Neutral Listener. The Neutral Listener shall be disqualified as a witness, consultant or expert in any pending or future action relating to the subject matter of the settlement effort, including those between persons not parties to the settlement effort.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties by their attorneys have executed this agreement as of the date first above written.