Chapter ATCP 162

Chapter ATCP 162

FARM MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION PROGRAM

ATCP 162.01   Purpose.

ATCP 162.02   Definitions.

ATCP 162.03   Mediators and arbitrators; general.

ATCP 162.04   Mediation.

ATCP 162.05   Arbitration.

Ch. ATCP 162 Note Note: Chapter Ag 2 was renumbered ch. ATCP 2 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register, April, 1993, No. 448. Chapter ATCP 2 as it existed on June 30, 1999 was renumbered chapter ATCP 162, Register, June, 1999, No. 522, eff. 7-1-99. Chapter ATCP 162 as it existed on October 31, 2004 was repealed and a new chapter ATCP 162 was created Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04.

ATCP 162.01 ATCP 162.01 Purpose. This chapter governs farm mediation and arbitration proceedings under s. 93.50, Stats.

ATCP 162.01 History History: CR 04-005: cr. Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04.

ATCP 162.02 ATCP 162.02 Definitions. In this chapter:

ATCP 162.02(1) (1) “Creditor” has the meaning given in s. 93.50 (1) (c), Stats.

ATCP 162.02(2) (2) “Department” means the state of Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

ATCP 162.02(3) (3) “Farmer” has the meaning given in s. 93.50 (1) (d), Stats.

ATCP 162.02(4) (4) “Party” means a farmer, creditor or other person who requests or agrees to participate in a mediation or arbitration proceeding under this chapter.

ATCP 162.02(5) (5) “Person” means an individual, corporation, cooperative, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, or other legal entity. “Person” includes a government entity.

ATCP 162.02 History History: CR 04-005: cr. Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04.

ATCP 162.03 ATCP 162.03 Mediators and arbitrators; general.

ATCP 162.03(1) (1) Appointment and qualifications. The department shall appoint mediators according to s. ATCP 162.04 (4). The department shall appoint arbitrators according to s. ATCP 162.05 (2). Mediators and arbitrators shall possess the qualifications required under ss. 93.50 (2) (a) and (am), Stats. Mediators and arbitrators shall successfully complete all training required by the department. Mediators and arbitrators shall be impartial.

ATCP 162.03(2) (2) Written agreement. The department shall enter into a written agreement with each mediator or arbitrator. The agreement shall set forth the terms and conditions under which the mediator or arbitrator will provide mediation and arbitration services under s. 93.50, Stats., and this chapter.

ATCP 162.03(3) (3) Mediator functions. If parties consent to mediation under s. 93.50, Stats., and this chapter, the appointed mediator shall encourage and assist the parties to reach a voluntary settlement as provided in s. 93.50 (3) (f), Stats. Neither the mediator nor the department may impose a settlement upon any party.

ATCP 162.03(4) (4) Arbitrator functions. If parties consent to arbitration under s. 93.50, Stats., and this chapter, an arbitrator shall conduct an arbitration proceeding and render an arbitration award. Arbitration proceedings shall conform to ch. 788, Stats., and this chapter.

ATCP 162.03(5) (5) Advising parties. No mediator or arbitrator may provide legal, financial or therapeutic advice to any party in a mediation or arbitration proceeding. At the request of a party, a mediator may refer the party to alternative sources of professional consultation or assistance. A mediator may not solicit or accept any payment or thing of value, either directly or indirectly, in return for making a referral.

ATCP 162.03(6) (6) Confidentiality. Except as otherwise agreed by the parties and the department, or as provided in s. 904.085, Stats., mediators and arbitrators shall keep confidential all information and records obtained in connection with a mediation or arbitration proceeding. At the conclusion of the proceeding, the mediator shall file all records with the department.

ATCP 162.03(7) (7) Ethics.

ATCP 162.03(7)(a) (a) No mediator or arbitrator may, during a mediation or arbitration proceeding or within one year after that proceeding is concluded, provide or offer to provide, for compensation, any service to a person who is a party to that proceeding before that mediator or arbitrator.

ATCP 162.03(7)(b) (b) No mediator or arbitrator may provide or offer to provide, for compensation, to a person who is a party to a mediation or arbitration proceeding before that mediator or arbitrator, any service related to any issue raised in that proceeding.

ATCP 162.03(7)(c) (c) No mediator or arbitrator may solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, from a party to a mediation or arbitration proceeding, any of the following:

ATCP 162.03(7)(c)1. 1. Anything of value that could reasonably be expected to influence the actions or judgment of the mediator or arbitrator, in his or her capacity as a mediator or arbitrator.

ATCP 162.03(7)(c)2. 2. Anything of value that could reasonably be considered as a reward for any action or inaction by the mediator or arbitrator, in his or her capacity as a mediator or arbitrator.

ATCP 162.03(7)(d) (d) No mediator or arbitrator may disclose confidential information gained as a result of his or her service as a mediator or arbitrator, or use that information in any way that could result in the receipt of anything of value by the mediator or arbitrator, or any person or organization with which the mediator or arbitrator is associated.

ATCP 162.03(7)(e) (e) No mediator or arbitrator may use or attempt to use his or her position as a mediator or arbitrator to gain unlawful benefits, advantages or privileges for himself or herself, or for others.

ATCP 162.03(7)(f) (f) A mediator or arbitrator shall disclose to the department, and to the parties to a mediation or arbitration proceeding, every potential conflict of interest and every other matter which may affect the mediator’s or arbitrator’s ability to act in a fair and impartial manner in the proceeding. A mediator or arbitrator shall withdraw from the proceeding if the mediator or arbitrator is unable to act in a fair and impartial manner.

ATCP 162.03(7)(g) (g) This subsection does not prohibit a mediator or arbitrator from receiving normal compensation or reimbursement of expenses from the department, pursuant to s. 93.50 (2) (b), Stats.

ATCP 162.03(8) (8) Substitution.

ATCP 162.03(8)(a) (a) A party to a mediation or arbitration proceeding may petition the department for substitution of a mediator or arbitrator. The party shall submit the petition in writing, and shall specify the reason for the petition. The department may require the petitioner to substantiate his or her claim, and may conduct its own investigation as necessary. The department may order a substitution if the department determines that a conflict of interest exists, or that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the mediator or arbitrator cannot act fairly and impartially in the matter. The department shall issue its decision in writing and shall serve a copy on all parties to the proceeding. If the department orders a substitution, the department shall appoint a new mediator according to s. ATCP 162.04 (4) or a new arbitrator according to s. ATCP 162.05 (2).

ATCP 162.03(9) (9) Immunity from liability; limitations. The civil immunity provided to mediators and arbitrators under s. 93.50 (2) (c), Stats., does not include any of the following:

ATCP 162.03(9)(a) (a) Immunity from liability related to fraud or an intentional violation of sub. (7).

ATCP 162.03(9)(b) (b) Immunity from criminal liability.

ATCP 162.03 History History: CR 04-005: cr. Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04.

ATCP 162.04 ATCP 162.04 Mediation.

ATCP 162.04(1) (1) Request for mediation. A person requesting mediation shall submit the request to the department in writing, on a form provided by the department. The request shall include all the following:

ATCP 162.04(1)(a) (a) A statement of the issue or issues that the requester seeks to resolve by mediation.

ATCP 162.04(1)(b) (b) The name and address of each proposed party, or that party’s authorized representative.

ATCP 162.04 Note Note: You may obtain a mediation request form from the department, and submit a completed request form to the department, at the following address:
  Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
  Agricultural Development Division, Farm Center
  2811 Agriculture Drive
  P.O. Box 8911
  Madison, WI 53708-8911

ATCP 162.04(2) (2) Agreement to mediate. If the parties to a proposed mediation agree to mediate, they shall sign a mediation agreement, on a form provided by the department. The parties may sign the same form or separate identical forms that identify all the parties to the proposed mediation. The agreement shall set forth the terms and conditions of mediation.

ATCP 162.04 Note Note: The department will normally provide each party with a copy of the mediation agreement form prior to the initial mediation session. The mediator will normally review the agreement with the parties and have them sign the agreement at the first mediation session. You may obtain a copy of the mediation agreement form by contacting the department at:
  Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
  Agricultural Development Division, Farm Center
  2811 Agriculture Drive
  P.O. Box 8911
  Madison, WI 53708-8911

ATCP 162.04(3) (3) Mediation assistance. The department may assign an advisor under s. 93.51, Stats., to help a farmer prepare for mediation. The advisor may help a farmer prepare for mediation, but may not take a position with respect to the competing claims of the parties in mediation.

ATCP 162.04(4) (4) Mediator appointment.

ATCP 162.04(4)(a) (a) The department may provide the parties with the names, addresses and qualifications of potential mediators, as provided in s. 93.50 (3) (e), Stats., or may appoint a mediator with the authorization of the parties.

ATCP 162.04(4)(b) (b) If any party declines to authorize department appointment of a mediator, the parties shall choose a mediator from among those named by the department. The department shall then appoint the chosen mediator.

ATCP 162.04(4)(c) (c) When the department appoints a mediator under par. (a) or (b), the department shall notify all parties of the appointment.

ATCP 162.04(4)(d) (d) The appointed mediator shall enter into a written agreement with the department under s. ATCP 162.03 (2), and shall then assume responsibility for directing the mediation proceeding.

ATCP 162.04(5) (5) Mediation proceedings.

ATCP 162.04(5)(a) (a) A mediator shall conduct mediation proceedings at times and places agreed upon by the parties and the mediator. A mediator may conduct mediation proceedings with the parties by telephone. The mediator may hold joint or separate sessions with the parties, as the mediator deems necessary.

ATCP 162.04(5)(b) (b) With the agreement of the parties, the mediator may request other persons to participate in the mediation proceedings. Parties may have representatives present at mediation sessions.

ATCP 162.04(5)(c) (c) The mediator may regulate mediation proceedings to prevent disruptions, and may terminate mediation sessions in his or her discretion.

ATCP 162.04(5)(d) (d) The parties may agree to start or continue mediation proceedings while a court action is pending between the parties, regardless of whether the court action is stayed under s. 93.50 (2m), Stats. Mediation proceedings may not violate a court order or an automatic stay in bankruptcy.

ATCP 162.04(6) (6) Agreement after mediation. The parties to a mediation proceeding may reduce their interim and final agreements, if any, to writing. At the conclusion of the mediation proceedings, the mediator shall provide the department with copies of all written agreements. Agreements may provide for continued mediation at a future date. The parties are solely responsible for their agreements and for the enforcement of their agreements. An agreement is subject to applicable laws and court orders, and is subject to the exercise of rights by persons who are not parties to the agreement.

ATCP 162.04(7) (7) Withdrawing from mediation. A party may withdraw from mediation at any time.

ATCP 162.04 History History: CR 04-005: cr. Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04.

ATCP 162.05 ATCP 162.05 Arbitration.

ATCP 162.05(1) (1) Request for arbitration. A person requesting arbitration shall submit that request to the department in writing, on a form provided by the department. A request for arbitration shall include all the following:

ATCP 162.05(1)(a) (a) A signed agreement by all parties to participate in arbitration. No person may be included as a party in an arbitration proceeding without that person’s signed agreement.

ATCP 162.05(1)(b) (b) A preliminary statement of the issue or issues the parties seek to resolve by arbitration.

ATCP 162.05(1)(c) (c) The name and address of each party, or the party’s representative in the arbitration proceeding.

ATCP 162.05(1)(d) (d) An agreed method for appointing an arbitrator under sub. (5).

ATCP 162.05(1)(e) (e) An identification of every court action currently pending between the parties. If any court action is pending, the request for arbitration shall include a copy of any court order under s. 93.50 (2m), Stats., suspending the court action pending arbitration. No issue contested between the parties in a court action may be arbitrated under this chapter unless the court enters an order suspending the court action pending arbitration.