19-19-515. Mediation privilege.All verbal or written information relating to the subject matter of a mediation which is transmitted between any party to a dispute and a mediator or any agent, employee, or representative of a party or a mediator is confidential. Any mediation proceeding shall be regarded as settlement negotiations, and no admission, representation, or statement made in mediation not otherwise discoverable is admissible as evidence or subject to discovery. A mediator is not subject to process requiring the disclosure of any material matter discussed during the mediation proceeding unless all the parties consent to a waiver. A meeting held to further the resolution of a dispute may be closed to the public at the discretion of the mediator. This section does not apply if a party brings an action against the mediator or if the communication was made in furtherance of a crime or fraud. This section does not apply to mediations conducted pursuant to chapter 25-4. Source: SL 1998, ch 112, §1; SDCL §19-13-32.
South Dakota Legal Code