Mediation agreement
A mediation agreement is the contract under which parties agree to mediate a dispute with a neutral mediator, usually covering confidentiality, the mediator's fees and the process. The term is also used loosely for the settlement agreement the parties sign if mediation succeeds. Both are ordinary contracts.
How BC law treats it
BC has no general Mediation Act. Mediation in a BC Supreme Court action can be required by a party under the Notice to Mediate (General) Regulation, BC Reg 4/2001, and a signed settlement is enforceable as a contract.
What it means for your business
Read the agreement to mediate for its confidentiality and cost terms, and make sure any settlement reached is written down and signed before the session ends.
Risks and common mistakes
Leaving mediation with only an oral understanding or a vague term sheet often leads to a second dispute over what was actually agreed.
For the full explanation, see our entry on Mediation.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
