Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRule 100.03 requires a mediator to stay impartial in word and action, disclose by the first session any known relationship, personal knowledge of the facts, or economic interest that could affect or appear to affect impartiality, and decline or withdraw if a party's objection to impartiality persists or if the mediator can't serve impartially.
Full Text of Rule 100.03
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1. A mediator shall, in word and action, maintain impartiality toward the parties and on the issues in dispute. 2. As early as practical and no later than the beginning of the first session, the mediator shall make full disclosure of any known relationships with the parties or their counsel, any personal knowledge of the facts at issue, or an economic interest in the outcome that may affect or give the appearance of affecting the mediator's impartiality. 3. The mediator shall decline to serve or shall withdraw from serving if:
a. a party objects to his/her serving on grounds of lack of impartiality, and after discussion, the party continues to object; or b. the mediator determines he/she cannot serve impartially.
Rule 100.03 makes impartiality a mediator's job, not just an aspiration. A mediator must stay neutral toward the parties and the issues in dispute in both what they say and what they do.
To back that up, the rule forces disclosure. As early as practical, and no later than the start of the first session, the mediator must disclose any known relationship with a party or counsel, any personal knowledge of the facts at issue, or any economic interest in the outcome -- anything that could affect, or even look like it affects, the mediator's neutrality.
If a party objects to the mediator serving on impartiality grounds, and still objects after the mediator discusses it with them, the mediator must decline or withdraw. The same goes if the mediator concludes, on their own, that they can't serve impartially.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a Kentucky mediator disclose before mediation starts?
By the start of the first session, the mediator must disclose any known relationship with the parties or their counsel, any personal knowledge of the facts at issue, or any economic interest in the outcome that could affect or appear to affect the mediator's impartiality.
Can I object to a mediator on grounds of bias in Kentucky?
Yes. If you object to the mediator serving because of a lack of impartiality and continue to object after discussing it, the mediator must decline to serve or withdraw.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 100.03). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Kentucky (Ky. Const. § 116). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
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