Is the mediator allowed to provide legal advice to the parties?
In general, a mediator in Washington is not allowed to provide legal advice to the parties. This is because the mediator is supposed to stay neutral throughout the process and not take sides or advocate for any particular outcome. Instead, the mediator should facilitate communication and agreement between the parties by helping them to identify their interests and come up with solutions that best meet those interests. If the parties wish to receive legal advice during the mediation process, they should seek out their own lawyer for advice outside of the mediation process. This can be helpful for the parties if they need clarification on any legal matters that might come up during the mediation process. It is important that the parties are operating from the same understanding of the law in order to reach a successful agreement. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not a mediator can provide legal advice to the parties lies with the mediator. Some mediators may be willing to provide legal advice, while others will not. It is important for the parties to discuss this issue with the mediator before entering into the mediation process.
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