---
title: O.C.G.A. § 9-17-8. Review of mediator’s conflict of interest; required disclosures by mediator; exclusion; special qualifications not required.
collection: code
id: 9-17-8
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 9-17-8 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/9-17-8
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/9-17-8.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/9-17-8/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t9-ch12-17-(v7a)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=201e3996_0#page=64
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CIVIL PRACTICE / GEORGIA UNIFORM MEDIATION ACT
---

# O.C.G.A. § 9-17-8. Review of mediator’s conflict of interest; required disclosures by mediator; exclusion; special qualifications not required.

(a) Before accepting a mediation, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall:

(1) Make an inquiry that is reasonable under the circumstances to determine whether there are any known facts that a reasonable individual would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the mediator, including a financial or personal interest in the outcome of the mediation and an existing or past relationship with a mediation party or foreseeable participant in the mediation; and

(2) Disclose any such known fact to the mediation parties as soon as is practical before accepting a mediation.

(b) If a mediator learns any fact described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section after accepting a mediation, the mediator shall disclose it as soon as is practicable.

(c) At the request of a mediation party, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall disclose the mediator’s qualifications to mediate a dispute.

(d) A person that violates subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section is precluded by the violation from asserting a privilege under Code Section 9-17-3.

(e) Subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this Code section shall not apply to an individual acting as a judge.

(f) This chapter shall not require that a mediator have a special qualification by background or profession.

## History

Code 1981, § 9-17-8, enacted by Ga. L. 2021, p. 646, § 2/SB 234.