| 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
- Identify forum type (mediation vs. arbitration) — tone and strategy differ
- Collect all exhibits; number consecutively in order of first reference
- Draft using the output structure below
- 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)
