mediation-arbitration-statement

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)