Section 654B.4. Initial mediation meeting.

  1.  Unless both parties to the dispute waive mediation, within twenty-one days after receiving a mediation request, the farm mediation service shall send a mediation meeting notice to all parties to the dispute setting a time and place for an initial mediation meeting between the parties and a mediator directed by the farm mediation service to assist in mediation. An initial mediation meeting shall be held within twenty-one days of the issuance of the mediation meeting notice.

  2.  If a person receives a mediation meeting notice under this section, the person shall not continue civil proceedings based on a claim relating to a dispute subject to this chapter, unless the court determines after notice and hearing that one of the following applies:

  a.  The time delay required for the mediation would cause the person to suffer irreparable harm.

  b.  The dispute involves a claim which has been brought as a class action.

  3.  At the meeting, a party participating in mediation may be accompanied by counsel or a consultant to assist the party in mediation.

90 Acts, ch 1143, §19

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98 Acts, ch 1122, §2