A document serving as a condensed, persuasive summary of a party’s case prepared for a mediator before a mediation session, often in a portable document format, presents the key facts, legal arguments, and proposed resolution. For instance, counsel might submit a ten-page document outlining the alleged damages in a breach of contract dispute, attaching relevant exhibits in PDF form to substantiate claims.
The practice promotes efficient and focused mediation proceedings. It allows the mediator to understand the core issues and each party’s position before the session begins, fostering more productive discussions and potentially leading to earlier resolution. Historically, the practice has evolved with the increasing use of mediation as a dispute resolution tool, alongside advancements in document sharing and digital formats.