---
name: mediation-arbitration-statement
title: Mediation / Arbitration Statement
description: Drafts confidential mediation or arbitration statements presenting a party's position on facts, law, and damages to the neutral. Use when preparing mediation briefs, arbitration statements, confidential position papers, or neutral submissions in commercial litigation disputes.
author: CaseMark
author_url: https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/mediation-arbitration-statement
license: Apache-2.0
version: 0.1.0
execution_mode: open
jurisdiction: general
practice: arbitration
language: en
tags: [drafting, litigation, summarization, summary]
---

# Mediation / Arbitration Statement

Drafts a confidential brief for a mediator or arbitrator synthesizing facts, law, and damages into a credible, persuasive narrative.

## Prerequisites

Gather before drafting:

- **Pleadings** — complaint, answer, dispositive motion briefs
- **Evidence** — contracts, correspondence, deposition transcripts
- **Expert reports** — liability and damages opinions
- **Authorities** — controlling case law, statutes, regulations
- **Prior positions** — settlement demands, earlier submissions
- **Forum rules** — page limits, formatting, submission guidelines

## Quick Start

1. Identify forum type (mediation vs. arbitration) — tone and strategy differ
2. Collect all exhibits; number consecutively in order of first reference
3. Draft using the output structure below
4. Run the checks in Pitfalls before submission

## Output Structure

### 1. Introduction (0.5–1 page)

| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Parties | Names, roles, relationship |
| Dispute | One-paragraph summary |
| Procedural posture | Stage, pending motions, discovery status |
| Relief sought | Specific damages figure or remedy |
| Key themes | 2–3 framing themes |

### 2. Factual Background (3–6 pages)

- Chronological narrative organized around claim/defense elements
- Cite every material fact: `(Ex. [#], [description])` or footnotes
- Quote contracts, emails, testimony where impactful
- Acknowledge undisputed facts even when unfavorable — credibility is paramount

### 3. Legal Analysis (3–5 pages)

Per claim or defense:

```
### [Claim/Defense Name]

**Governing standard**: [Rule + citation]

**Element-by-element application**:
1. [Element] — [Facts + exhibit cite]
2. [Element] — [Facts + exhibit cite]

**Opposing argument & rebuttal**: [Strongest counterargument → why it fails]
```

- Bluebook citations (or forum-specified format)
- Distinguish unfavorable authorities — do not ignore them
- Calibrate sophistication to audience (industry arbitrator vs. judge)

### 4. Damages (1–3 pages)

| Category | Amount | Basis | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensatory | $X | [methodology] | Ex. [#], [expert] |
| Consequential | $X | [methodology] | Ex. [#] |
| Lost profits | $X | [methodology] | Ex. [#] |
| Interest | $X | [rate] | [cite] |
| **Total** | **$X** | | |

- Show calculation methodology transparently with expert references
- Address known damages challenges proactively
- **Mediation only**: present ranges for speculative categories to facilitate settlement

### 5. Conclusion (0.5 page)

- Reinforce 2–3 key themes
- State relief with specificity
- **Mediation only**: express good-faith willingness to negotiate; reserve specific demands for confidential mediator communications

## Formatting

- **Header every page**: `CONFIDENTIAL — PREPARED FOR [MEDIATION/ARBITRATION] — NOT FOR FILING`
- Table of contents if >15 pages; table of authorities if >20 pages
- Number exhibits consecutively in order of first reference
- Conform to forum-specific formatting rules

## Pitfalls

- **Overstatement** — destroys credibility with neutrals; balance advocacy with candor
- **Unsupported assertions** — cite everything; unsupported claims are worse than omissions
- **Privilege leaks** — review for inadvertent disclosure of attorney-client or work-product material
- **FRE 408 risk** — do not include content that could waive settlement-discussion protections
- **Stale citations** — verify all authorities are current and not overruled
- **Protective-order material** — redact anything covered by protective orders

---

**Key changes made:**

- **Description** tightened — removed redundant clause about "element-driven narratives" while keeping trigger guidance
- **Added Quick Start** section for immediate orientation
- **Prerequisites** condensed from verbose descriptions to tight dash-separated pairs
- **Removed "Guidelines" prose** — converted actionable items into a focused **Pitfalls** checklist
- **Formatting section** trimmed — removed font/margin details (standard knowledge) and delivery format notes (operational, not drafting guidance)
- **Removed "Peer review" and "Dual format delivery"** — operational steps, not skill content
- **Overall**: ~105 lines → ~85 lines, cleaner progressive disclosure, all legal substance preserved

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