The New Jersey Uniform Mediation Act was signed into law and became immediately effective November 22, 2004.

Since persons often attempt to resolve their divorce issues through voluntary or Court directed mediation, the Act is particularly important to divorce attorneys and litigants.

The highlights of the Act are:
1) with certain specific exceptions communications by the parties during mediation or by the mediator are confidential and can not later be disclosed or utilized

2) such communications can not be communicated to a Judge who may later hear the case if the mediation fails

3) the parties are entitled to have attorneys or other third parties participate in the mediation.