Just Say No: Minimizing Limited Authority Negotiating in Court-Mandated Mediation

This article contends that requiring mediation participants to refrain from claiming limited negotiating authority and to just say no when they lack authorization, particularly regarding dollar issues, is more likely to encourage full preparation to negotiate the economic aspects of disputes that litigation invariably generates. It suggests that encouraging attorneys to comprehensively prepare the dollar dimensions of claims and defenses may help them anticipate and gather sufficient authority to handle potential decisions if conversations move to agreement options beyond economics. It concludes by defending its proposals against concerns that they will undercut important mediation policies regarding confidentiality and mediator impartiality.