2013 Vermont Statutes
Title 12 Court Procedure
Chapter 215 VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION
§ 7013 Mediation response
[Section 7013 repealed effective February 1, 2015; see note set out under subchapter heading.]

[Section 7013 repealed effective February 1, 2015; see note set out under subchapter heading.] 7013. Mediation response

(a) Within 60 days of service of the request to participate in pre-suit mediation, each potential defendant shall accept or reject the potential plaintiff's request for pre-suit mediation by mailing a certified letter to counsel or if the party is unrepresented to the potential plaintiff.

(b) If the potential defendant agrees to participate, within 60 days of the service of the request to participate in pre-suit mediation, each potential defendant shall serve a responsive certificate on the potential plaintiff by mailing a certified letter indicating that he or she, or his or her counsel, has consulted with a qualified expert within the meaning of section 1643 of this title and that expert is of the opinion that there are reasonable grounds to defend the potential plaintiff's claims of medical negligence. Notwithstanding the potential defendant's acceptance of the request to participate, if the potential defendant does not serve such a responsive certificate within the 60-day period, then the potential plaintiff need not participate in the pre-suit mediation under this title and may file suit. If the potential defendant is willing to participate, pre-suit mediation may take place without a responsive certificate of merit from the potential defendant at the plaintiff's election. (Added 2011, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), 24c, eff. Feb. 1, 2013.)